ISHS Acta Horticulturae 470: II International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
IN VITRO CULTURE AND IMPROVEMENT OF PORTUGUESE ALMOND VARIETIES |
| Authors: | C. Miguel, A. Sanchez, M. Martins, M.M. Oliveira, M.H. Raquel, G. Nolasco, E.L. Ferreira |
| Keywords: | Adventitious regeneration, genetic transformation, molecular characterization, Prune dwarf virus, Prunus dulcis Mill, virus resistance |
| Abstract:
Almond is a traditional crop of great importance for numerous Portuguese farmers. Portuguese almond production and exportation is presently facing numerous problems. The trees are contaminated with viruses and fungi. Additionally, the cultivars in use have not been precisely identified, which will be essential in preserving local germplasm. Molecular characterization methods and sanitation programs were initiated for Portuguese almond trees, in order to provide stocks of identified, virus-free material for use in new orchards. Thermotherapy, chemotherapy and meristem culture are being used for sanitation. In parallel, methods for in vitro propagation, adventitious regeneration and genetic transformation of almond are being developed using the Portuguese variety ‘Boa Casta’ as the main target. A regeneration/transformation strategy was developed and almond shoots were successfully regenerated which had been transformed with the npt II gene. In an effort to introduce resistance to Prune dwarf virus (PDV), a virus that strongly affects almond trees in Algarve, transformation with the PDV coat protein gene is being attempted. | |
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