Selection of valine-resistance in callus culture of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. derived from leaf explants

The selection of valine-resistant mutants was carried out in leaf explant cultures of three Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. ecotypes: C-24, RLD and Columbia. The valine concentration used for in vitro selection, lethal for seed-growing plants, has not affected callus formation and growth. However, strong inhibition of shoot regeneration ability of calli growing under selection pressure was noticed. In total, 1043 explants were cultured on valine medium and 18 shoots were regenerated with an average frequency of 1.7 shoots per 100 calli. Most R-1 shoots were sterile and seeds were collected from 3 plants. The transmission of valine-resistance to the sexual progeny of these plants was scored and the increased level of valine-resistance was found in progeny of one line - 61C. This line originated from the culture of Columbia leaf explant and displayed tetraploid chromosome number.