Somatic embryogenesis and genetic transformation in Fragaria spp

Three strawberry cultivars (Clea, Irvine and Paros) useful for South Italy pedoclimatic conditions and several genotypes of Fragaria vesca L. were tested for plant regeneration and genetic transformation. Four different MS-based media were utilized for callus proliferation and shoot regeneration. In order to obtain genetic transformation, leaf disks were also cocultivated with a LBA 4404 Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring a plasmid with the marker gene NPTII. High percentage of organogenesis and plant regeneration were obtained in strawberry and Fragaria vesca by using a MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA and 1 mg/l BAP. Somatic embryogenesis events were observed when the explants were mantained in darkness during callus induction step. A sufficient number of genetic transformation events were obtained either in strawberry or in Fragaria vesca.