Establishment and Transformation of Callus and Cell Suspension Cultures of the Prickly-Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

Abstract

Friable callus cultures were initiated from cotyledons and hypocotils of Opuntia ficus-indica.
Propagation and growth of calli were observed on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D, Pickloram
and Casein. Cell transformation was achieved by particle bombardment. Kanamycin resistance,
GUS expression, and PCR analyses indicated successful integration of foreign DNA.