Cell & Developmental Biology
Open Access

Abstract

Shoot Regeneration Capability and Partial Self-Incompatibility of a Taraxacum kok-saghyz Germplasm

Grisel Ponciano, Kumiko Johnson, Grace Q Chen*

Rubber dandelion Taraxacum kok-saghyz (Tk) has been developed as an alternative crop to diversify natural rubber production. Germplasm utilization and biotechnology are potential approaches to developing commercially viable Tk crops. We surveyed individuals from a Tk germplasm (W6-35169) to assess their overall plant morphology, in vitro plantlets’ regeneration capacity and self-incompatibility. Plants exhibited different leaf and root morphology. Using combinations of plant hormones, naphthalene acetic acid and benzylaminopurine, 83 calli were induced from 23 seedlings with the capacity of 42% to 79%. Most calli developed unviable shoots such as leafy-like structures or albino shoots. Few calli produced significant numbers of viable shoots ranged from 26-187 per callus. We hand-pollinated 31 plants and found two individuals capable of producing selfed seeds. We identified plant #12 which was competent in producing shoots and selfed seeds. This is the first report for describing a novel approach for discovering an individual particularly useful in implementing a genetic approach for basic and applied research to improve a Tk crop.

Published Date: 2026-01-14; Received Date: 2024-12-09