Regeneration system for grape and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention features methods of producing a plant or a mature somatic embryo from an embryogenic cell or embryogenic culture. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a liquid culture that includes an embryogenic cell; (b) recovering embryogenic cell from the culture; (c) transferring the embryogenic cell to a second culture; and (d) growing a mature somatic grape embryo from the embryogenic cell.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 202,964, filed Jul. 25, 2002, and Ser. No. 09 / 311,823, filed May 13, 1999, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,312, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 087,285, filed May 29, 1998, now abandoned, which, in turn, claims benefit of U.S. provisional application 60 / 085,711, filed May 15, 1998. The disclosures of all the aforementioned applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties into the instant application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to methods for regenerating grape plants, and grape germplasm produced using such methods. [0003] Grapevines are a deciduous temperate fruit crop of ancient origin. Grape production (65×106 metric tons) exceeds that of any other temperate fruit crop, and ranks third after Citrus and banana production. In addition, due to its uses for fresh fruit, juice, jelly, raisins, and wine,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] We have discovered methods for growing perennial grape embryogenic cultures and for growing large quantities of somatic grape embryos from such perennial embryogenic cultures in a relatively short period using a liquid suspension culture. Several advantages are provided by the present methods. These approaches, for example, facilitate an extraordinarily high frequency of somatic embryo formation and plant regeneration. Such frequencies have not been previously reported for grapevine regeneration of any known cultivar, and render the method useful for large-scale production of clonal planting stock of grape plants. In addition, the methods produce embryos free of such common abnormalities as fusion and fasciations of somatic embryos. The methods of the invention also result in enhanced embryogenic culture initiation frequency, allowing for the production of highly embryogenic cultures that can then be successfully carried through the subsequent stages of the regeneration process to the whole plant level. Because of these advantages, the methods of the invention are especially useful in the application of biotechnology for the genetic improvement of this crop.

Problems solved by technology

Current methods for improving grapevines are time-consuming and labor intensive.

For example, genetic improvement in grapes through conventional breeding is severely limited by a number of factors such as long pre-bearing age and varying ploidy levels.

Cultivated grapes are also highly heterozygous and do not generally breed true from seeds.

Moreover, grape breeding programs are expensive, long-term projects.

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