In vitro micropropagation of Ruscus aculeatus

We have developed three protocols for the rapid micropropagation of Ruscus aculeatus. The primary explants utilised were immature embryos, aerial buds excised from rhizomes and shoot buds regenerated from organogenic calli. In order to increase the plant regeneration from the primary explants, we used organogenic calli from cladode, stem and rhizome segments. We tested more than 20 culture media for callus induction and shoot regeneration and the best results were obtained when rhizome segments were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm⁻³ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1 mg dm⁻³ kinetin.     

Differences in the activities of some antioxidant enzymes and in H2O2 content during rhizogenesis and somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures of the ice plant

Callus was obtained from hypocotyls of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum seedlings cultured on two types of medium—germination medium (GM) and callus induction medium (CIM). Following subculture on shoot induction medium SIM1, the callus formed on CIM medium regenerated roots or somatic embryos, while that obtained on GM medium was non-regenerative. The activities of CuZn-superoxidase dismutase (SOD) were comparable in all calli, but the activities of FeSOD and MnSOD varied according to the activity of photosystem II and the regenerative potential of the tissues. Catalase (CAT) activity was related to H₂O₂ concentration and affected by both the culture conditions and the morphogenic potential of the calli. The possible role of CAT, SODs and H₂O₂ in the regeneration of M. crystallinum from callus is discussed.This work is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Hubert Ziegler on his 80th birthday.     

Abscisic acid promotes shoot regeneration in Arabidopsis zygotic embryo explants

An efficient shoot organogenesis protocol for Arabidopsis zygotic embryo explants of Landsberg erecta ecotype was established. This de novo shoot organogenesis protocol has three different steps, i.e., induction of callus in an auxin-rich callus induction medium, the formation of green-organogenic callus in the shoot induction medium (SIM), and the final morphological differentiation of shoot in the hormone-free shoot development medium (SDM). Abscisic acid (ABA), auxin, and cytokinin (CK) were used in the SIM. Individual plant growth regulators as well as their combination were studied to understand their importance in the shoot induction treatment. We found that a combination of ABA + CK and ABA + CK + auxin induced higher shoot organogenic ability in the callus than ABA, CK, and auxin alone. Optimum ABA concentration on shoot organogenesis was determined to be 10^?5 M. Morphological characterization of callus induction and shoot organogenesis events indicated that calli were derived from the cotyledons of zygotic embryo explants and the formation of green organogenic calli was specific to the exogenous inclusion of ABA + CK in the SIM. During the time of shoot development, the green organogenic callus became darker green due to the formation of anthocyanins. Shoot organogenic calli in the SIM and the SDM were easily identified by the green-colored calli and anthocyanin pigments, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated the significance of exogenous and endogenous ABA in shoot organogenesis by fluridone treatments. The inclusion of ABA in SIM has a significant effect on shoot formation.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration through leaf culture in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis glabrata (Leguminosae)</Emphasis>

Plants of two accessions of Arachis glabrata were regenerated via somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic calli were initiated from leaflet explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with picloram alone or picloram in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine. Leaflets of accession A6138 induced the highest percentage of somatic embryos in media composed of 10 mg dm⁻³ and 15 mg dm⁻³ picloram. In contrast, 5 mg dm⁻³ picloram with 0.1 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine was one of the most effective combinations in accession AF385. MS medium supplemented with 2 g dm⁻³ activated charcoal (AC) used for 30 days was the most effective for embryo maturation. After 20 days of culture on MS medium devoid of growth regulators, 6 % of embryos converted into plantlets in accession A6138.     

Somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of Cenchrus ciliaris genotypes from immature inflorescence explants

An efficient, highly reproducible system for plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis was developed for Cenchrus ciliaris genotypes IG-3108 and IG-74. Explants such as seeds, shoot tip segments and immature inflorescences were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0–5.0 mg dm^?3 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg dm^?3 N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) for induction of callus. Callus could be successfully induced from all the three explants of both the genotypes. But the high frequency of embryogenic callus could be induced only from immature inflorescence explants. Somatic embryos were formed from nodular, hard and compact embryogenic calli when 2,4-D concentration was gradually reduced and BA concentration increased. Histological studies of somatic embryos indicated the presence of shoot apical meristem with leaf primordia. Ultrastructural details of globular and scutellar somatic embryos further validated successful induction and progression of somatic embryogenesis. Shoots were differentiated upon germination of somatic embryos on MS medium containing 2,4-D (0.25 mg dm^?3) and BA or kinetin (1–5 mg dm^?3). Roots were induced on ½ MS medium containing charcoal (0.8 %), and the regenerated plants transferred to pots and established in the soil showed normal growth and fertility.     

Influence of Boron on Somatic Embryogenesis in Papaya

Influence of boron on somatic embryogenesis in papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Honey Dew was investigated. Immature zygotic embryos were grown in the induction medium containing Murashige and Skoog basal salts, with B₅ vitamins, picloram (1 mg dm⁻³) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2 mg dm⁻³) and different concentrations of boric acid (30 to 500 mg dm⁻³). Maximum somatic embryo initiation was observed at 62 mg dm⁻³ boric acid irrespective of the growth regulator used. The cotyledonary stage somatic embryos were germinated on MS basal medium devoid of growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets were hardened under greenhouse conditions and transferred to field. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Multiple Shoot Induction from Cotyledonary Node Explants of Terminalia chebula

A protocol for multiple shoot induction from cotyledonary node explants of Terminalia chebula Retz. has been developed. Germination frequency of embryos (up to 100 %) was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm^–3 gibberellic acid (GA₃). Maximum number of shoots (6.4 shoots per cotyledonary node) was obtained on half-strength MS + 0.3 mg dm^–3 GA₃+ 1.0 mg dm^–3 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 10.0 mg dm^–3 benzylaminopurine (BAP) after 4 weeks of culture. When the cotyledonary nodes along with the axillary shoot buds were allowed to grow in the same medium upto 19.2 shoots were obtained after 8 – 9 weeks. Best rooting (100 %, 5.5 roots per shoot) was observed when shoots were excised and transferred to half-strength MS medium containing 1.0 mg dm^–3 IBA + 1 % mannitol and 1.5 % sucrose. Survival of rooted plants in vivo was low (35 – 40 %) when they were directly transferred to soil in glasshouse. However, transfer to soil with MS nutrients and 1.0 mg dm^–3 IBA in culture room for a minimum duration of 2 weeks increased the survival percentage of plants to 100 %.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in diploid and triploid Arachis pintoi

Plants of two cytotypes (2n=2x=20, and 2n=3x=30) of pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Gregory) were regenerated through somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic calli were induced from shoot tips or immature leaves dissected from in vitro growing plants. In the case of the diploid peanut the best somatic embryogenesis was achieved when shoot tips were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 10 mg dm⁻³ Picloram (PIC) and 0.1 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or when explants from immature leaves were cultured on MS + 10 mg dm⁻³ PIC + 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BAP. In the case of triploid peanut the highest number of somatic embryos was obtained when shoot tips were cultured on MS + 10 mg dm⁻³ PIC + 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BAP or when immature leaves were cultured on MS + 20 mg dm⁻³ PIC + 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BAP. Somatic embryos were converted into plants by culture on MS + 0.01 mg dm⁻³ naphthaleneacetic acid + 0.01 mg dm⁻³ BAP. Plants were successfully transferred to pots in greenhouse.     

Influence of plant preservative mixture (PPM)TM on adventitious organogenesis in melon, petunia, and tobacco

Summary The influence of PPM^TM on somatic embryogenesis in melon, adventitious shoot organogenesis in petunia, and androgenesis in tobacco was studied by culturing explants in regeneration media supplemented with 0, 2, 5 or 10 ml l⁻¹ PPM for 8–12 wk. The percentage of melon cotyledon explants that produced callus and somatic embryos and the number of embryos per explant were reduced when incubated in embryo initiation and embryo development media containing more than 5 ml l⁻¹ PPM. Less PPM was required to inhibit petunia shoot organogenesis. The number of shoots and number of buds per Petri dish were reduced 3–6.9-fold when leaf explants were incubated in shoot regeneration medium containing more than 2 ml l⁻¹ PPM. In contrast, the addition of up to 10 ml l⁻¹ PPM to tobacco anther culture medium had no effect on androgenesis. Our results suggest that the influence of PPM on plant regeneration depends on the plant species. We recommend that experimenters examine a range of PPM concentrations when using it for the first time on an untested plant species.     

In vitro morphogenesis of Cucumis melo var. inodorus

In vitro morphogenesis of C. melo L. var. inodorus was studied by the induction of adventitious buds and somatic embryos. Organogenesis was obtained from cotyledon segments and leaf discs in culture medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (1 mg l⁻¹) and somatic embryogenesis was induced in medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (5 mg l⁻¹) + thidiazuron (1 mg l⁻¹). Through histological analysis it was possible to verify that in cotyledonary explants, protuberances that do not develop into well-formed shoot buds and leaf primordia are more frequently formed than complete shoot buds, resulting in a low frequency of plant recovery in the organogenic process. A high percentage of explants responded with the formation of somatic embryos; the microscopical analysis showed that the somatic embryos lacking well developed apical meristems had a low conversion rate into plants. Plant recovery was not obtained from leaf-disc explants, with high rates of contamination and formation of protuberances which did not develop into shoot buds. Histological sections showed the development of epidermis and leaf hairs, indicating those structures could be leaf primordia; however, these were not associated with a shoot apical meristem. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effectiveness of nitrogen sources in Feijoa somatic embryogenesis

Immature and mature zygotic embryos excised from Feijoa fruits were employed as explants and the effects of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– ionic concentration in basal LPm culture medium supplemented with 2,4-D (10 M) were evaluated. Moreover, the addition of 4 mM of Asn, Gln, and Arg, and levels of Gln (0 to 8 mM) were tested. The original NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– concentration present in the LPm culture medium supplemented with Gln (4 mM) resulted in the highest somatic embryo number from immature zygotic embryos. For mature zygotic embryos, the addition of Asn, Gln or Arg to the basal LPm culture medium resulted in improved somatic embryogenesis induction. Ten weeks in culture allowed the highest somatic embryo number when mature zygotic embryos were used as explant. Half-strength MS culture medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 M) enhanced the conversion of somatic embryos to plantlets.     

Plant regeneration via direct embryo axis-like shoot and root formation from excised cotyledon explants of ginseng seedlings

Summary Cotyledon explants of Panax ginseng at various developmental stages were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.5 μM indole butyric acid and 8.8 μM N⁶-benzyladenine. Upon culturing of cotyledon explants from mature zygotic embryos, 34% of the explants formed somatic embryos, and 46% formed adventitious shoots. In the cotyledon explants from 1-wk-old seedlings, embryo axis-like shoots and roots developed at a high frequency (79%) near the excised portion of the cotyledon base. The developmental pattern of embryo axis-like organ formation was structurally different from that of somatic embryos and adventitious shoots but similar to that of parts of the embryo axis of zygotic embryos. In the early stages of embryo axis-like organ formation, epicotyl-like shoot primordia were developed directly from the cotyledon base after 2 wk of culture; subsequently roots developed near the base of the epicotyl-like shoots and eventually regenerated into plantlets with both shoots and roots. The frequency of embryo axis-like organ formation declined as the growth of seedlings proceeded. In addition, the frequency of somatic embryo and adventitious bud formation rapidly declined with the age of the cotyledons. Plant regeneration via embryo axis-like organ formation might be a new pattern of morphogenesis in P. ginseng cotyledon culture.     

A two-step protocol for shoot regeneration from hypocotyl explants of oilseed rape and its application for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation

A two-step protocol for improving the frequency of shoot regeneration from oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) hypocotyl explants was established. The protocol consists of a pre-culture on callus induction medium (CIM) and a subsequent shoot regeneration on shoot induction medium (SIM). The SIM was Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA; 2–5 mg dm⁻³) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0.05–0.15 mg dm⁻³). Maximum frequency of shoot regeneration (13 %) was on the SIM medium containing 4 mg dm⁻³ BA and 0.1 mg dm⁻³ NAA, but it increased to 24.45 % when 20 μM silver thiosulphate (STS) was added. Strikingly, an extremely high frequency of shoot regeneration up to 96.67 % was reached by a two-step protocol when hypocotyl explants had been pre-cultured for 7 d on a CIM medium containing 1.5 mg dm⁻³ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. In addition, the shoot emergence was also 7 d earlier than that observed by use of the one-step protocol. The two-step protocol was also applied for regeneration of transgenic plants with cZR-3, a nematode resistance candidate gene. As a result, 43 plants were generated from 270 shoots and from these 6 plants proved to be transgenic.     

High frequency of plant regeneration in sunflower from cotyledons via somatic embryogenesis

Summary A plant regeneration methodvia somatic embryogenesis of severalHelianthus annuus L. genotypes was developed. Starting from cotyledonary explants high frequency embryo induction was obtained following several subcultures on defined media. An appropriate cotyledon developmental stage was identified. Etiolated explants and darkness treatment were necessary to obtain somatic embryos in all tested genotypes. After 20–25 days on somatic induction medium containing an auxin:cytokinin ratio of 1:1, the germination of embryos was induced by a reduction of the hormonal ratio (1:2). Shoots were excised from callus and transferred onto a medium containing various vitamins. The range of embryogenesis frequency was 33–72%, depending on the genotype. High frequency of rooting (49–82%) was obtained using a medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L of ancymidol and by a reduction of photoperiod. A large percentage of somatic embryos developed into normal regenerated plants producing viable seeds.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - BAP benzylaminopurine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - EIM embryo induction medium - GM germination medium - VM vitamins medium - RA2 ancymidol rooting medium - EtOH ethanol     

In vitro propagation of loblolly pine via direct somatic organogenesis from mature cotyledons and hypocotyls

A high-efficiency two-step culture procedure for direct somaticorganogenesis in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) resulting inthe formation of multiple shoot structures induced on cotyledons andhypocotyls of mature zygotic embryos is described. Mature zygoticembryos of eight genotypes of loblolly pine were used as explants toinduce direct somatic organogenesis with this two-step culture method,involving the induction and the differentiation of direct adventitiousshoots. After mature zygotic embryos of eight genotypes of loblolly pinewere cultured on induction medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyaceticacid (2,4-D) or -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine(BA), and kinetin for 2–3 weeks, embryos were transferred todifferentiation medium. Adventitious shoot regeneration via directsomatic organogenesis with the frequency of 8.7–27.8% wasobtained from mature zygotic embryo cultures of the genotypes tested.The highest mean number of 32.6 adventitious shoots per mature zygoticembryo was produced from genotype La. The tissue culture protocol of invitro shoot regeneration via direct somatic embryogenesis was optimizedafter examining the periods of the induction culture, chillingtreatment, glutamine concentration, and basic medium levels. Rooting wasachieved on TE medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid(IBA), 0.5 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA₃), and 1 mg/l6-benzyladenine (BA), and regenerated plantlets were established insoil. These results suggested that adventitious shoot regeneration viadirect somatic organogenesis could be useful for clonal micropropagationof some genotypes of loblolly pine and for establishing a transformationsystem of this coniferous species.     

Effects of sodium nitroprusside on callus induction and shoot regeneration in micropropagated Dioscorea opposita

The effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on callus induction and shoot regeneration of Dioscorea opposite Thunb. have been studied. Application of 40 μM of SNP depresses accumulation of H₂O₂ in tuber explants of Dioscorea opposita markedly. Supplementation of 40 μM of SNP to the Murashige and Skoog medium with combinations of benzylaminopurine (3 mg dm⁻³) and naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 mg dm⁻³) reduces the browning of explants and increases the frequency of callus induction from tuber explants significantly. The regeneration frequency of adventitious shoot shows a significant increase in the presence of SNP. Further analysis indicates that treatment with 40 μM of SNP results in significant decreases in catalase and peroxidase activity, while increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase. Supplementation with 40 μM of SNP also promotes the accumulation of non-enzymic antioxidants, including proline and glutathione. The effects on callus induction and shoot regeneration promoted by SNP were reversed by the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)- 4,4,5,5- tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide. These results indicate that the exogenously applied NO-donor SNP alleviates browning of tuber explants by reducing H₂O₂ accumulation, thereby promoting a higher in vitro proliferation frequency of D. opposita.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> bud regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus tinctorius</Emphasis> and wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus</Emphasis> species from leaf explants and axillary buds

The organogenic competence of leaf explants of eleven Carthamus species including C. tinctorius on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) + α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) + NAA was investigated. Highly prolific adventitious shoot regeneration was observed in C. tinctorius and C. arborescens on both growth regulator combinations and the shoot regeneration frequency was higher on medium supplemented with TDZ + NAA. Nodal culture of nine Carthamus species on media supplemented with BA and kinetin (KIN) individually revealed the superiority of media supplemented with BA over that of KIN in facilitating a higher shoot proliferation index. Proliferating shoots from axillary buds and leaf explants were transferred to medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm⁻³ KIN or 0.5 mg dm⁻³ BA for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm⁻³ each of indole-butyric acid (IBA) and phloroglucinol. The plantlets thus obtained were hardened and transferred to soil.     

Influence of BA and sucrose on the competence and determination of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. Sweet Banana) hypocotyl cultures during shoot formation

Summary The simultaneous presence of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and sucrose in a Murashige and Skoog medium (SIM) during the initial stages of shoot initiation have been found to be obligatory for high-frequency shoot formation in the Capsicum annuum L. var. Sweet Banana upper hypocotyl explants. The explants are determined for shoot formation following a minimum of 8 days of culture on SIM. Deprivation of exogenous sucrose from day 6 to day 20 of culture had no effect on the shoot forming response of the explants. BA and sucrose appear to act independently on different aspects of the competence of explants to respond to SIM during shoot initiation.Abbreviations BA N⁶-benzyladenine - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - SIM shoot induction medium - HFM hormone free medium - SUC sucrose minus medium