HYBRIDIZATION OF RADISH (RAPHANUS-SATIVUS L) AND OILSEED RAPE (BRASSICA-NAPUS L) THROUGH A FLOWER-CULTURE METHOD

Hybridization between radish and oilseed rape has been cumbersome, req uiring elaborate embryo rescue techniques. With a modified flower cult ure method, we have achieved successful hybridization between radish a nd (transgenic) oilseed rape without the laborious and technically dem anding in vitro ovule or embryo rescue techniques. The hybrid nature o f the intergeneric hybrids was demonstrated using morphological traits , and DNA analyses. The described method will facilitate the generatio n of Raphanobrassica hybrids useful for biosafety studies of the poten tial for transgenes to spread in weedy Cruciferae as well as for breed ing programs aimed at introducing useful radish genes, e.g. nematode r esistance genes, into oilseed rape.