Application of protoplast fusion technology to tansy (Tanacetum vulgare l.):: Biodiversity as a source to enhance biological activity of secondary compounds

In this study, protoplast fusion between two related species, namely tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.; Asteraceae) and pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium Vis.) was developed. The aim of this reserch was to combine winter hardiness of tansy and the biosynthesis of pyrethrins in pyrethrum to a somatic hybrid. In addition, the biodiversity of tansy was explored to find new germplasm for the further breeding experiments. Protoplast-derived calli of tansy resulted in root and spontaneous shoot formation. The hybridity of intraspecific (tansy x tansy) and interspecific (tansy x pyrethrum) protoplast fusion products were successfully tested already at the callus stage. The tests showed increased content of nuclear DNA in the fusion calli suggesting that some degree of protoplast hybridisation had occurred. The distance matrices calculated from the RAPD-PCR data with complete linkage cluster analysis showed, that the calli derived from the intraspecific fusion were closer to tansy than to pyrethrum. In addition of genetic biodiversity, tansy grown in Finland contains also wide range of chemical variation. Among the large number of volatile compounds detected from tansy, the chemotypes accumulating irregular monoterpenes are an interesting source for further biotechnological applications. As a conclusion, chemical biodiversity can be a valuable source for novel germplasm for breeding better and more bioactive compounds accumulating tansy.