Organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures in Muscari armeniacum Leichtl. ex Bak.

Summary Establishment of fast-growing, highly regenerable callus cultures was examined in Muscari armeniacum Leichtl. ex Bak. in order to develop an efficient genetic transformation system. High-frequency callus formation was obtained from leaf explants of cv. Blue Pearl on media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram, PIC). Fast-growing, yellowish nodular callus lines and white friable callus lines containing a few somatic embryos were established on initiation medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 2,4-D and with 54 μM NAA, respectively. The yellowish nodular calluses vigorously produced shoot buds after transfer to media containing 0.44–44 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA), whereas the white friable calluses produced numerous somatic embryos upon transfer to plant growth regulator-free (PGR-F) medium. Histological observation of shoot buds and somatic embryos indicated that the former consisted of an apparent shoot meristem and several leaf primordia, and the latter had two distinct meristematic regions, corresponding to shoot and root meristems. Both shoot buds and somatic embryos developed into complete plantlets on PGR-F medium. Regenerated plants showed no observable morphological alterations. High proliferation and regeneration ability of these calluses, were maintained for over 2 yr.     

Embryogenesis and Regeneration of Green Plantlets from Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Leaf Base

A short-term regeneration system from leaf-base-derived callus of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed. Embryogenic callus formation and shoot regeneration were achieved from the first basal segments of 3–4-day-old seedlings. Callus formation frequency as well as plantlet regeneration frequency was dependent on the composition of basal medium and the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). MS medium with 2,4-D 4.5–9.0 mol l^–1 was optimal for the culture of wheat leaf base. Effects of different combinations of plant growth regulators, which were added in either callus induction medium or shoot regeneration medium, were tested. Adding of BAP in callus induction medium shortened the time of shoot emergence but could not improve the producing of embryogenic calli and green plantlets. Optimal ratio of 2,4-D, BAP and NAA gave similar regeneration frequency to control. Existence of cytokinins in regeneration medium had no effect on increasing the regeneration frequency. The regenerants could grow to normal, fertile plants after they were transferred into soil.     

Plant regeneration using immature zygotic embryos of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribulus terrestris</Emphasis>

The genus Tribulus is the source of a number of steroidal saponins and other bioactive compounds which are of medicinal and pharmaceutical importance and plant regeneration of Tribulus terrestris has been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of immature zygotic embryos of Tribulus terrestris as an explant for plant regeneration. Embryos were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and thidiazuron (TDZ), alone or in combination and callus and shoot or embryo formation evaluated. With 2.5 mg/l NAA or 2,4-D, callus formation frequency was 100% but 57% with 2.5 mg/l TDZ. The combination of 2.5 mg/l TDZ and NAA or 2,4-D also elicited callus formation frequency of 100%. The callus formation frequency was lower with lower levels of these growth regulators. On a medium with 0.5 mg/l TDZ, 17.4% of the 2,4-D-derived callus (2.5 mg/l), developed embryo-like structures and this increased to 37.3 and 41.4% respectively, when TDZ was combined with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 2,4-D. Both shoot formation and embryo-like structures developed in cultures with 2.5 mg/l TDZ, alone or in combination with 0.5 mg/l IBA or 2,4-D. The optimum sucrose level for morphogenetic response of embryo-derived callus was between 5.0 and 7.5%. Embryo-like structures were also observed when the 2,4-D-derived callus was cultured in a liquid containing benzyladenine (BA) and IBA. Plants were regenerated from both embryo-like structures and shoot buds on solid MS medium containing 0.2 mg/l IBA and rooted plantlets were transferred to soil.     

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in the forage grass Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa caucasica)

Plantlets were regenerated from cultured seed explants of the forage grass Caucasian bluestem [Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard] via somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus was produced in four weeks when surface sterilized seeds were cultured on a medium containing MS-salts, B-5 vitamins, 12 mM L-proline, 2% sucrose, 0.8% agar and 5M 2,4-D. Plantlets were regenerated in 6–8 weeks after culture initiation. Healthy root and shoot systems were produced within three weeks after the plantlets were transferred to a medium lacking 2,4-D. Approximately 95% of the plantlets survived greenhouse acclimation and produced healthy plants and viable seeds. Caucasian bluestem callus cultures exhibit natural resistance to kanamycin. High levels of kanamycin (up to 800 mg/l) did not completely inhibit callus growth. However, the regeneration of healthy-plantlets was completely inhibited by kanamycin even at low levels (50 mg/l).     

Characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicoides</Emphasis> Dun. root primordia culture with plant recovery

A liquid meristematic root primordia culture (RPC) of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. based on persistent rhizogenesis in a modified Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with NAA (15 mg·l⁻¹) or 2,4-D (1 mg·l⁻¹) was described. The meristematic clumps (2–3 mm in diameter) originating from NAA supplemented medium were capable of regenerating plants through the callus stage (up to 70 %). Efficient direct plant regeneration (up to 21 %) was possible from numerous single globular-shaped root primordia (RP) structures liberated from the parental aggregates in 2,4-D supplemented proliferation medium without NH₄NO₃ and with a 2.5 fold increase in KNO₃. The RP converted into plantlets (artificial seedlings) on solid or liquid media without growth growth regulators through the unipolar followed by the mace-shaped bipolar structure stages. The use of apical shoot bud, root apices or root segments as a primary explants brought about RPC induction and plant regeneration. The plants derived from 2 years old culture were phenotypically identical to their parental S. lycopersicoides plants and possessed the same ploidy.     

High frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from zygotic embryo-derived callus cultures of three Allium species

The plant regeneration ability of zygotic embryo-derived callus cultures was studied for 12 A. cepa varieties and accessions, two A. fistulosum varieties, one A. fistulosum x A. cepa interspecific hybrid and two A. porrum varieties. Compact embryogenic callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The embryogenic calluses of all three Allium species were similar in appearance. For all accessions tested plants could be regenerated at a high frequency from this compact callus through somatic embryogenesis, when using kinetin supplemented MS medium (regeneration medium). Addition of abscisic acid to the regeneration medium stimulated the formation of both somatic embryos and shoots for a number of varieties. Concerning shoot regeneration from callus cultures, significant differences existed between genotypes of all accessions except one.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - VDH Van Der Have Seed company     

In vitro regeneration from bulb explants of Indian squill,Urginea indica Kunth

Callus cultures were established from bulb explants of diploid Urginea indica Kunth (Indian squill) on a modified basal medium of Murashige and Skoog (1962) supplemented with either 2 mg/l^-1 2,4-D+15% (v/v) CM or 4 mg/l^-1 2,4-D+2 mg/l^-1 NAA+2 mg/l^-1 KN+1 g/l^-1 YE. Shoot primordia developed after 2–3 subcultures in that medium. Increased growth of shoot primordia was obtained in media containing less auxins and vitamins. Rooted bulbous plantlets obtained were maintained in MS medium with 0.5% sucrose.Adventitious shoots were induced from adaxial epidermal cells of outer scales of regenerated bulbs used as secondary expiants in presence of 1 mg/l^-1 of 2,4-D with slightly higher concentration of the three vitamins of MS medium. From each scale leaf, approximately 400 bulblets were produced in 18 weeks in liquid culture. 90% of the plants transferred to potted soil have survived.     

Induction of callus and plant regeneration in Vicoa indica

Callus cultures were initiated from the stem and leaf explants of aseptically grown Vicoa indica. A simple method is described for plant regeneration from callus and the rapid multiplication of the plants thus obtained. Callus initiation was optimum in Gamborg B5 (B5) basal medium containing either 2.0 mg l^-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 0.2 mg l^-1 kinetin (Kn) or 2.0 mg l^-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) with 0.2 mg l^-1 NAA. The calli initiated on B5 medium were able to proliferate on both Murashige and Skoog (MS) and B5 basal medium. Shoot primordia were obtained from greenish callus on passage to B5 basal medium containing 3.0 mg l^-1 BAP and 1.0 mg l^-1 Kn. On further subculture onto B5 medium containing 0.2 mg l^-1 Kn the shoot primordia developed into plantlets.     

High frequency plant regeneration from zygotic-embryo-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures of watershield (Brasenia schreberi)

An improved protocol for high frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryo-derived cell suspension cultures of watershield (Brasenia schreberi) was developed. Zygotic embryos formed pale-yellow globular structures and white friable callus at a frequency of 80% when cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D. However, the frequency of formation of pale-yellow globular structures and white friable callus decreased slightly with increasing concentrations of 2,4-D up to 3 mg l⁻¹, where the frequency reached ~50% of the control. Cell suspension cultures from zygotic embryo-derived white friable callus were established using half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D. Upon plating of cell aggregates on half-strength MS basal medium, approximately 8.3% gave rise to somatic embryos and developed into plantlets. However, the frequency of plantlet development from cell aggregates was sharply increased (by up to 55%) when activated charcoal and zeatin were applied. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transplanted to potting soil and grown to normal plants in a growth chamber. The distinctive feature of this study is the establishment of a high frequency plant regeneration system via somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryo-derived cell suspension cultures of watershield, which has not been previously reported. The protocol for plant regeneration of watershield through somatic embryogenesis could be useful for the mass propagation and transformation of selected elite lines.     

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in callus culture of green bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii Munro)

Summary Young inflorescence explants of green bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii Munro) in culture show a high capacity for plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus was initiated from explants maintained on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 2,4-D, 2 mg/l kinetin and a high content (60 g/l) of sucrose. Prolonged culture in the embryoid induction medium or transferral of embryonic callus to auxin-free medium resulted in the continued development and eventual germination of embryoids and establishment of rooted plantlets that were successfully transferred to soil.     

Plant regeneration from zygotic embryo-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Ranunculus kazusensis

Culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from cell suspension cultures of Ranunculus kazusensis are described. Zygotic embryos formed white nodular structures and pale-yellow calluses at a frequency of 84.9% when cultured on half-strength Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). However, the frequency of white nodular structure and off-white callus formation decreased with an increasing concentration of 2,4-D up to 10 mg l⁻¹, when the frequency reached 25%. Cell suspension cultures were established from zygotic embryo-derived pale-yellow calluses using half-strength SH medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ of 2,4-D. Upon plating onto half-strength SH basal medium, over 90% of cell aggregates gave rise to numerous somatic embryos and developed into plantlets. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity at a survival rate of over 90% in a growth chamber. The plant regeneration system established in this study can be applied to mass propagation and conservation of this species.     

High frequency plant regeneration following abnormal shoot organogenesis in the medicinal tree Hovenia dulcis

An efficient plant regeneration protocol for shoot organogenesis from Hovenia dulcis callus cultures was established. Induction of organogenic callus was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.65 μM kinetin and 4.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Further differentiation of organogenic callus into primordia, shoot-like structures, and plantlets was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.23 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 0.46 μM kinetin. Numerous abnormal shoots developed upon transfer of callus to MS medium containing cytokinins, and these failed to grow further into whole plantlets. However, transfer of ‘abnormal’ shoots to a fresh MS medium lacking cytokinins resulted in growth of normal shoots. Elongated shoots subsequently were rooted in basal MS medium, and whole plantlets were established in a soil mix. Analysis of regenerated plants using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) confirmed the genetic stability of these regenerant plantlets.     

Effect of phytohormones on plant regeneration in callus culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iris ensata</Emphasis> Thunb

The effect of phytohormones on plant regeneration in callus culture of Iris ensata Thunb. was studied. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) proved to be the most suitable auxin for the induction and subculturing of morphogenic callus. Organogenic calluses were induced from isolated embryos at the waxphase in MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (1.0–2.0 mg/l) and kinetin (0.2–0.5 mg/l). Changes in the medium hormonal composition favor the development of adventitious structures. The setting of adventitious shoot buds took place in the presence of 6-benzylaminopurine, while the development of shoots and root primordia was observed after 2,4-D replacement with indoleacetic acid (2.0 mg/l). The root initiation in regenerating plants required a hormone-free medium. The development of intact seedling and regenerated plants of I. ensata were studied. Analysis of the shoot structure demonstrated that in vitro cultured plants are at the juvenile stage.     

Embryogenesis and plant regeneration from tissue culture of Canada wildrye,Elymus canadensis L.

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis L.) from tissue culture was investigated by culturing immature embryos and inflorescences on MS medium containing 2 mg/l 2,4-D. The optimum size of explants for maximum embryogenic callus formation was 1.0 to 1.5 mm for embryos and 4 to 6 cm for inflorescences. Plant regeneration from the subcultured embryogenic callus was attempted monthly using hormone-free MS medium or MS medium with 0.5 mg/1 2,4-D and 0.3 mg/l GA3. Three hundred and fifty seven plantlets were regenerated from the callus cultures of both explant sources during a six month period. Ten chlorophyll deficient plants accounting for 2.8% of the total regenerants were observed. One plant with white striped leaves survived and was found to be an octoploid.Abbreviations GA3 gibberellic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis,encapsulation, and plant regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rotula aquatica</Emphasis> lour., a rare rhoeophytic woody medicinal plant

Summary Indirect somatic embryogenesis, encapsulation, and plant regeneration was achieved with the rare rhoeophytic woody medicinal plant Rotula aquatica Lour. (Boraginaceae). Friable callus developed from leaf and internode explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.45 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, acid (2,4-D) was most effective for the induction of somatic embryos. Subculture of the callus onto half-strength MS medium with the same concentration of 2,4-D resulted in highly embryogenic callus. Suspension culture was superior to solid medium culture for somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus.during subsequent transfer to suspension cultures of half-strength MS medium having 0.23 μM 2,4-D induced the highest number of somatic embryos (a mean of 25.6 embryos per 100 mg callus) and the embryos were grown up to the torpedo stage. Transfer of embryos to half-strength MS basal solid medium allowed development, of 50% of the embryos to the cotyledonary stage. Of the cotyledonary embryos, 90% underwent conversion to plantlets on the same medium. Encapsulated cotyledonary embryos exhibited 100% conversion to plantlets. Ninety-five percent of the plantlets established in field conditions survived, and were morphologically identical to the mother plant.     

An efficient and reproducible method for regeneration of whole plants from mature seeds of a high yielding Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety PAU 201

Tissue culture is one of the tools necessary for genetic engineering and many other breeding programs. Moreover, selection of high regenerating rice varieties is a pre-requisite for success in rice biotechnology. In this report we established a reproducible plant regeneration system through somatic embryogenesis. The explants used for regeneration were embryogenic calli derived from mature seeds cultured on callus induction media. For callus induction mature seeds were cultured on MS medium containing 30 g/l sucrose combined with 560 mg/l proline and 1.5-3.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5-1.5 mg/l Kin. For plant regeneration, embryogenic calli were transferred to MS medium containing 30 g/l sucrose, supplemented with 1.0-3.0 mg/l BAP, 0.5-1.5 mg/l Kin and 0.5-1.5 mg/l NAA. The highest frequency of callus induction (44.4%) was observed on the MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/l Kin, 560 mg/l proline and 30 g/l sucrose. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (42.5%) was observed on the MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP, 0.5 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l Kin. The plantlets were hardened and transferred to soil in earthen pots. The developed method was highly reproducible. The in vitro developed plants showed normal growth and flowering under glasshouse conditions.     

Efficient plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of sweetpotato

Summary Using 15 Chinese and Japanese cultivars of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., we succeeded in developing an efficient plant regeneration system from embryogenic suspension cultures. The embryogenic callus derived from shoot apices of the 15 cultivars was used to initiate embryogenic suspension cultures in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 9.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Rapidly proliferating and well-dispersed embryogenic suspension cultures were established. Cell aggregates 0.7–1.1 mm in size from embryogenic suspension cultures were transferred to solid MS medium supplemented with 9.05 μM of 2,4-D and formed embryogenic callus with somatic embryos. The embryogenic callus with somatic embryos was further transferred to MS medium supplemented with 3.78 μM of abscisic acid, resulting in the germination of somatic embryos. Within 20 wk after the initiation, the frequencies of cell aggregates forming plantlets reached approximately 100% for the 15 tested cultivars. These plantlets, when transferred to soil, showed 100% survival. No morphological variations were observed.     

High Frequency Plant Regeneration from Callus Culture of Pleione formosana Hayata

High frequency plant regeneration was induced from protocorm-derived callus cultured on half-strength of Murashige—Skoog medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 0–5 mg l⁻¹) and 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl, 0–1 mg l⁻¹) urea (TDZ) in the dark. Twelve totipotent callus lines were selected within 76 callus lines regenerated on half-strength of Murashige—Skoog (MS) medium with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ TDZ. The proliferation rate was 4–5-fold in fresh weight after 30 days of culture on half-strength MS medium containing 5 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ TDZ in the dark. The maximum number of shoot buds generated by 0.01 g callus explant was 134 after 4 months of culture. These calli were regenerated to plantlets via protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) after 75–150 days of culture. The shoots, with two true leaves, were transferred to hormone-free medium, rooting and eventually formed plantlets. Totipotent callus lines of Pleione formosana Hayata have been successfully established in this study.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> regeneration and plant establishment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tylophora indica</Emphasis> (Burm. F.) Merrill: Petiole callus culture

Summary A protocol has been developed for high-frequency shoot regeneration and plant establishment of Tylophora indica from petiole-derived callus. Optimal callus was developed from petiole explants on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 10μM2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid +2,5μM thidiazuron (TDZ). Adventitious shoot induction was achieved from the surface of the callus after transferring onto shoot induction medium. The highest rate (90%) of shoot multiplication was achieved on MS medium containing 2.5μM TDZ. Individual elongated shoots were rooted best on halfstrength MS medium containing 0.5μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). When the basal cut ends of the in vitro-regenerated shoots were dipped in 150μM IBA for 30 min followed by transplantation in plastic pots containing sterile vermiculite, a mean of 4.1 roots per shoot developed. The in vitro-raised plantlets with well-developed shoot and roots were successfully established in earthen pots containing garden soil and grown in a greenhouse with 100% survival. Four months after transfer to pots, the performance of in vitro-propagated plants of T. indica was evaluated on the basis of selected physiological parameters and compared with ex vitro plants of the same age.     

Rapid propagation of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees) Wats.) through somatic embryogenesis in vitro

Somatic embryos induced from callus cultures of lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees) Wats.] on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 mg/l of 2,4-D, 0.1 mg/l of NAA and 0.5 mg/l of Kn developed into plantlets when plated on a medium supplemented with 3 mg/l of BA, 1 mg/l of GA₃ and 0.1 mg/l of NAA. The regeneration potential of callus was retained for more than 2 years on the nutrient medium supplemented with comparatively lower levels of growth regulators (2,4-D at 2 mg/l, NAA at 0.1 mg/l and Kn at 0.25 mg/l). Approximately 30–35 plantlets were produced after two months of culture per 100 mg of callus inoculated. Regenerants were transplanted into soil and transferred to the field for assessment of various morphological and biochemical characteristics. The results of 1 year of field trials showed that plants derived from somatic embryoids were more uniform in all the characteristics examined when compared with the field performance of plants raised through slips by standard propagation procedures. Thus, a procedure has been developed for high frequency long term plant production of lemongrass through in vitro methods.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4 -dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid - Kn kinetin - BA benzyladenine - GA₃ gibberllic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium