Intergeneric protoplast fusion between Brassica carinata and Camelina sativa

Camelina sativa is a wild crucifer that is reported to be resistant to Alternaria blight. Polyethylene glycol mediated fusion was attempted between protoplasts from etiolated hypocotyls of Brassica carinata and mesophyll protoplasts of Camelina sativa. The mean frequency of heterokaryons was 6.8%. Three hybrid shoots were regenerated, each from a single fusionderived callus. These shoots failed to produce roots capable of withstanding transplantation. Confirmation of hybridity was obtained from the morphology of in vitro produced leaves, somatic chromosome number in leaf tips, and restriction fragment length polymorphism for a nuclear rDNA probe. Analysis for organelle constitution using RFLPs indicated that the hybrid contained chrloroplasts derived from the wild species and mitochondria from the cultivated Brassica species.