Alena Gajdošová

Micropropagation in vitro of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and modified Anderson’s Rhododendron medium (mAN) were compared for in vitro shoot multiplication of three highbush blueberries ‘Berkeley’, ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Goldtraube’. All media contained 0.5 mg l−1 zeatin applied either alone or combined with 0.1, 1 and 5 mg l−1 IBA. In vitro rooting was induced using mAN medium supplemented with 0.8 mg l−1 IBA and 4 g l−1 activated charcoal. The results obtained showed that mAN medium is more suitable for in vitro multiplication of the selected highbush blueberry cultivars than MS medium. Low concentration of IBA (≤1 mg l−1) added in zeatinsupplemented mAN medium increases shoot multiplication efficiency of highbush blueberries in vitro and can be recommended for large-scale propagation of high-quality plants. MS medium induced partial or full necrosis of stems and leaves, which was more pronounced on media containing zeatin combined with increasing concentration of IBA. Rooting capacity of shoots varied widely among the tested blueberry cultivars. The highest rooting and acclimatization rates were achieved in ‘Goldtraube’ (82.8% and 91.8% respectively), and the lowest (10% and 66.7% respectively) were in ‘Berkeley’.

Methodological Approaches to Simple Enzyme Polymorphism Analyses of Amaranth Species (Amaranthus SP.)

Methodological Approaches to Simple Enzyme Polymorphism Analyses of Amaranth Species (Amaranthus SP.) Amaranths have drawn a great interest in last years as an agronomic crop, alternative energy source and ornamental plants around the world. Several of them are cultivated as the leaf vegetables, cereals, or as the colourful, quick growing garden plants. Increasing demand for the breeding and proteomic study in Amaranthus species led us to test some methodological approaches to enzyme polymorphism analysis. For these experiments genotypes of Amaranthus cruentus L. (genotype Ficha) and mutant line of hybrid K-433 were selected, characterized by a good seed quality and quantity, suitable for food production. The attention was devoted to test of published methodology, which were slightly modified for enzyme (ACP, ADH, CAT, DIA, GOT, IDH, MDH, PGD, PGI and PGM) multiplicity analysis for amaranths and testing of feasibility of chosen analysed organ weights, dimensions of Whatman No. 2 wicks and different volumes of extract buffer. Results from enzyme multiplicity analysis are presented by means of photographed fingerprints and phenotypes are expressed in diagrams where positions of zymograme bands are marked by using factors of relative mobility (Rm).

Shoot proliferation ability of selected cultivars of Rubus spp. as influenced by genotype and cytokinin concentration

The aim of this work was to develop protocols for micropropagation of selected Rubus cultivars – ‘Tulameen’ and ‘Black Jewel’ (Rubus idaeus L.), ‘Black Satin’ (Rubus fruticosus L.) and ‘Tayberry’ (Rubus fruticosus x Rubus idaeus). Nodal segments carrying dormant buds were used for in vitro culture establishment. For shoot initiation, MS medium containing 8 g*L-1 phytoagar, 30 g*L-1 sucrose, 1 mg*L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 0.2 mg*L-1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 150 mg*L-1 cefotaxime was used. The shoot proliferation ability of each cultivar was evaluated by multiplication coefficient (number of shoots formed per explant) during 4 subcultures. Statistical analyses confirmed the significantly higher shoot multiplication ability in cvs. ‘Black Satin’ and ‘Tulameen’ in comparison with cvs. ‘Tayberry’ and ‘Black Jewel’, as well as significant differences in shoot proliferation between subcultures (1st and 2nd versus 3rd and 4th). Testing of influence of different BAP concentrations on shoot formation showed that BAP 1-2 mg*L-1 is the best for shoot proliferation with the higher multiplication rate obtained in cv. ‘Black Satin’ in comparison with ‘Black Jewel’. Statistical evaluation showed that genotype and BAP concentration significantly influenced the ability of shoot proliferation in Rubus cultivars.

Plant biotechnology: Impact on high quality plant production

The idea to organize an international meeting on plant biotechnology entitled ‘‘Recent Advances in Plant Biotechnology’’ was born at the Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra. The first symposium was held in 1995 in Nitra. At this symposium, the participants decided to organize a plant-biotechnology symposium every second year alternating in the Slovak and Czech Republic. The principal aim of these meetings is to bring together researchers from around the world to present current results obtained in the field of plant biotechnology and to induce a fruitful discussion on topics of mutual interest. The 7th international symposium on plant biotechnology in this series was organized on June 10–16, 2007 with the subtitle ‘‘Plant Biotechnology: Impact on high quality plant production’’. The symposium was held in the Congress Center ‘‘Academia’’, in Stara Lesna, in the splendid mountain region of the High Tatras. The symposium programme consisted of five plenary sessions including invited keynote lectures and short oral/poster presentations with the following titles: Morphogenesis and embryogenesis in in vitro systems; Quality control of regenerated plants; Genetic transformation strategies for plant improvement; Plant-pathogen interaction; Applied plant biotechnology. One hundred and eighteen participants from 18 countries took part in the symposium. A limited number of grants was provided on the basis of competition to support young scientists and to enable them to participate in international meetings. In addition to the scientific programme, pleasant social events and excursions are an inseparable part of this symposium. They create possibilities to establish new scientific contacts and to unfold discussions. As biotechnology in the third millennium will strongly determine the quality of life of future generations, results and ideas should be investigated, discussed and utilized as much as possible. We hope that this symposium contributes to this final aim and goal.