In vitro organogenesis and genetic transformation of mandarin cultivars

Abstract The in vitro organogenesis of Fremont (Citrus clementina x ), Citrus reticulataThomas (Citrus reticulata), and Nules (Citrus clementina) mandarins was evaluated aiming to optimize a regeneration protocol that could be applied in genetic transformation. The use of epicotyl-derived explants resulted in higher explant responsiveness and number of shoots developed per explant when compared with the use of internodal-derived explants. The highest efficiency in shoot regeneration was observed in the presence of 1 mg L-1 of BAP, regardless of the explant type and cultivar. The in vitro organogenesis protocol produced transgenic plants from three mandarin cultivars expressing attA gene under the control of phloem-specific promoters.