Somatic embryogenesis and genetic fidelity in camelina by RAPD markers and flow cytometry

Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) is an oil and medicinal crop in the Brassicaceae family that possesses many good agronomic qualities, such as stress resistance, strong adaptation, and low water and fertilizer inputs. The objectives of the present study were to optimize somatic embryogenesis and evaluate the genetic fidelity of regenerated Camelina plants using RAPD markers and flow cytometry. The experiment was performed in a factorial form using a completely randomized design with two factors and three replications. The studied factors included two explants of hypocotyls and cotyledons and four different combinations of PGRs composed of NAA, BAP, 2,4-D, and Kin. The observation of many somatic embryonic developmental stages occurring simultaneously on an embryogenic callus, including the globular, heart-shaped, torpedo-shaped, and cotyledonary phases, suggested that camelina embryogenesis accurately reflects an unsynchronized process. The cotyledon explants cultured on MS + 0.3 mg L^− 1 NAA + 0.7 mg L^− 1 BAP and 1.0 mg L^− 1 Kin showed the highest rates of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. Using RAPD markers, genetic fidelity in mother plants and regenerated plants was assessed for the first time in camelina. Sixty-four well-resolved bands were amplified using nine primers, ranging from four to eleven bands, with an average of 7.11 bands per primer. Molecular investigation revealed that there was no genetic variation in either the mother plants or the regenerated plants. The study of regenerated and mother plants using flow cytometry revealed monomorphic patterns, confirming the stability of the ploidy level across plant regeneration. These findings are helpful for breeding and genetic engineering of camelina.