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, requiring elaborate embryo rescue techniques. With a modified flower culture method, we have achieved successful hybridization between radish and (transgenic) oilseed rape without the laborious and technically demanding in vitro ovule or embryo rescue techniques. The hybrid nature of the intergeneric hybrids was demonstrated using morphological traits, and DNA analyses. The described method will facilitate the generation of Raphanobrassica hybrids useful for biosafety studies of the potential for transgenes to spread in weedy Cruciferae as well as for breeding programs aimed at introducing useful radish genes, e.g. nematode resistance genes, into oilseed rape.