A Complex morpho-histological approach to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> study of morphogenic structures in a wheat anther culture

The external morphological and internal histological features of morphogenic structures (embryoids, calli with embryoids, and calli with buds and roots) have been studied in vitro in a wheat anther culture by light microscopy. The results of this study have been compared with data obtained earlier by scanning electron microscopy.     

Callus Cultures from Zygotic Embryos of Costus speciosus and Their Morphogenetic Responses

Soft, nodular and hard types of calli were initiated on mature zygotic embryo explants of two tetraploid clones of Costus speciosus, of which, only the hard calli were amenable to morphogenetic responses. The two clones differed in their growth regulator requirements both for the initiation of calli and for shoot regeneration. De novo formation of both shoot bud meristems and somatic embryoids were observed. Latter were encased partially or fUlly by coleoptilar sheath. Embryoids could be isolated as discrete units. On maturity, a stock like appendage developed from the base and finally embryoids got detached from the subtending tissue. Both shoot-bud meristems and somatic embryoids developed into complete plantlets, the former upon sequential transfer of calli on Schenk and Hildebrandt’s (SH) basal medium containing lower levels of growth hormones, while the latter only on basal medium. These culture regenerants were subsequently transferred to the field. The morphogenetic behaviour of these two tetraploid clones reflects their marked genotypic difference inspite of their same ploidy status.     

Enhanced embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) callus by activated charcoal in solid/liquid double-layer cultures

Enhanced embryogenesis and plant regeneration methods were established in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. ‘Delilah’) using hypocotyl segments as explants. Callus formation, followed by pro-embryogenic aggregates and globular embryoids required liquid shake cultures. In liquid medium, however, many of the embryoids developed into abnormal structures — ‘neomorphs’ or succulent plantlets. Embryoids subcultured to stationary liquid or agar cultures dedifferentiated and underwent secondary embryogenesis. Neither increased osmolarity nor adding abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin or activated charcoal to the liquid medium inhibited abnormal morphogenesis. The use of double layer cultures containing activated charcoal in the lower agar layer and ABA with elevated calcium in the upper liquid phase prevented dedifferentiation and secondary embryogenesis and allowed normal organized growth of the embryoids. Hardening in vitro by partial desiccation with CaSO₄ under aseptic conditions improved the cucumber plantlet's leaf growth and their survival after transplanting to soil.     

Identification of Embryoid-Abundant Genes That Are Temporally Expressed during Pollen Embryogenesis in Wheat Anther Cultures

Uninucleate microspores in anther cultures of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum cv Pavon) are capable of producing haploid pollen embryoids and plants. To gain an understanding of this alternate pathway of pollen development, we constructed a cDNA library to young pollen embryoids, isolated embryoid-specific genes, and analyzed their expression patterns during morphogenesis. Two embryoid-abundant clones, pEMB4 and 94, were expressed very early during culture, suggesting that these genes are associated with development and are not simply expressed as a consequence of differentiation. The accumulation patterns of five cloned mRNAs may indicate the activation of specific genes associated with the major morphological and physiological activities connected with the differentiation of embryoids in vitro. These results suggest that embryoid-abundant gene expression is causally related to this pathway because gene expression is spatially and temporally specific and is not observed when microspores are cultured under noninductive conditions.     

Isolated microspore derived plant formation via embryogenesis in Triticum aestivum L.

Embryogenesis in isolated microspores of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leading to plant regeneration has been established on modified liquid N6 medium (supplemented with 2,4-D, casein hydrolysate and Ficoll). Globular embryoids which were obtained after 6–8 weeks of culture of competent embryogenic microspores produced perfect embryoids when transferred to regeneration medium. Embryoids were differentiated to plants on other modified N6 agar medium (0.75% w/v agar, 20 g/l sucrose, 1 g/l myo-inositol, 8.8 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 11.4 μM indoleacetic acid (IAA), 160 mg/l glutamine, 10 mg/l proline). Responses of microspores in regeneration and embryoid differentiation varied depending on the constituents of the media and genotypes used.     

Regulation ofin vitro androgenesis in tobacco through iron-free media

Globular embryoids were continually produced in anther cultures of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun) from the pool of resting microspores if the iron-free medium was used. The supplement of iron stopped the development of fresh early embryoids still inducing continual conversion of the resting globular embryoids into torpedo-shaped embryoids, and into haploid plants. Globular embryoids in the anthers responded to the iron supply even after eight months’ cultivation on iron-free media. Isolated embryoids showed the same response. Haploid plants were regenerated from the anthers on the minimal medium consisting of agar, sucrose, iron and distilled water. Iron requirements of preglobular, globular and postglobular embryoids are discussed.     

IDENTIFICATION OF LATICIFERS IN EMBRYOIDS DERIVED FROM CALLUS AND SUSPENSION CULTURES OF ASCLEPIAS SPECIES (ASCLEPIADACEAE)

Laticifers were identified in frozen sections of embryoids from callus and suspension cultures of Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) by an indirect fluorescent antibody technique. Sections were treated with the IgG fraction of rabbit anti-latex antiserum, produced with field-collected A. syriaca latex as a source of antigens, and with fluorescein-conjugated IgG fraction goat anti-rabbit IgG. Laticifers were identified by their fluorescence in embryoids dissected from 3–4-month-old callus cultures and in embryoids from 2-month-old suspension cultures. Laticifers are not present in early globular embryoids of A. syriaca but embryoids similar in shape to late globular stage zygotic embryos possess branching laticifers typical of zygotic material. Sections on control slides, treated with whole serum or IgG fraction from whole serum, both from an uninjected rabbit, contained no fluorescent cells. No laticifers were detected with the fluorescent antibody assay in A. tuberosa embryoids.     

In vitro regulation of androgenesis by iron ions and chelate: A common property of two androgenic species (Nicotiana tabacum L. andDatura innoxia Mill.)

The morphoregulatory effect of FeEDTA chelating complex was verified in an androgenically more productive cultivar of tobacco White Burley and inDatura innoxia Mill. The presence of EDTA in Nitsch (1969) medium (N medium) was sufficient for the conversion of isolated embryoids and embryoids in anthers into complete plants. The androgenic development was most rapid in N medium with FeEDTA. In N medium with EDTA, the cultures developed more slowly and remained vital for a long time. In the medium without EDTA, new embryoids developed continuously. The embryoids arose and developed also in closed anthers. All embryoids which arose in anthers cultured on N medium were capable of forming complete plants. The threshold morphoregulatory concentration of FeEDTA was 40 μM FeEDTA per 1 litre of medium for embryoids in anthers and 30 μM FeEDTA per 1 litre for isolated embryoids. The dark brown colour of the anthers of tobacco andD. innoxia was due to the presence of iron (FeEDTA) in the culture medium. The morphoregulatory effect of EDTA in N medium is explained by the formation of a complex with iron present in the form of pollution of chemicals and agar. This amount of iron in complex with EDTA is sufficient for the conversion of embryoids into plants, but it is insufficient for the browning of anthers.     

Embryo sac development during the culture of placenta attached ovules ofMelandrium album

Ovules ofMelandrium album, attached to the placentas and containing immature embryo sacs, were culturedin vitro. The embryo sacs developed according to thePolygonum type but about 70% of them degenerated during the culture. Gametophytes of a non-typical structure were found in a few ovules,i.e. there appeared more nuclei or cells as in thePolygonum type and the arrangement of nuclei or cells was not true to type. Several-celled structures observed in some embryo sacs were recognized as gynogenetic embryoids.     

Morphohistological and flow cytometric analyses of somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium nigrescens</Emphasis> Viv.

Microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to study somatic embryogenesis (SE) from zygotic embryos of Trifolium nigrescens Viv. to determine if there were any relationships between characteristics of somatic embryos (morphology, anatomy, genome size stability) and their regenerability. Embryoids were induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2 mg l⁻¹ N⁶-[2-isopentenyl]-adenine (2iP) either directly from hypocotyls or via an intervening callus, depending on the duration of culture. The morphology of somatic embryos varied from zygotic-like structures to abnormal structures including horn-shaped, polycotyledonary, and fused embryoids. The incidence of abnormalities was higher in callus cultures than in direct regeneration. Horn-shaped embryoids were the most frequent type of abnormal embryos. Only embryoids having zygotic-like morphology regenerated into plantlets. Histological observations revealed that the absence of shoot and root apical meristems along with parenchymatization of embryos were major obstacles to conversion of horn-shaped embryoids. The estimated 2C value for T. nigrescens was 0.9 pg. FCM analysis revealed differences in DNA content between embryoids induced via an intervening callus and those produced directly from explants. Individuals with species-specific as well as increased DNA content were detected among those zygotic-like embryos derived from callus, but all horn-shaped embryoids had increased genome sizes. The observed lack of differences in DNA content between zygotic-like and horn-shaped embryoids, from direct SE, indicated that these phenotypic abnormalities were of physiological origin. The mean DNA content of regenerants was species-specific, suggesting that only diploid embryoids were capable for regeneration into plantlets.     

DIRECT EMBRYOGENESIS FROM CULTURED ANTHERS AND PISTILS OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA

Direct somatic embryoids were initiated from orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) anthers and unpollinated pistils cultured in the dark at 25 C on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium supplemented with 30 μM dicamba (3,6 dichloro-o-anisic acid). Stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the embryoids originated from anther walls and from ovary and style regions of pistils. Callus initiation from direct embryoids leading to secondary embryogenesis was observed in pistils cultured from 4–6 wk. The ability of these calli to proliferate and initiate new embryoids through the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of preexisting embryoids suggests long-term totipotency.     

Development of Pollen Embryoids in Anther Cultures of Datura innoxia: I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL FACTORS

To obtain the maximal production of pollen embryoids in culturedanthers of Datura innoxia, the critical stage of anther developmentand the effect of physical factors, such as the precise modeof implantation of the anthers in the culture medium, light,temperature, and pH, were studied. In almost all media used,anthers containing uninucleate pollen were the best for initiationof embryogenesis. Variations in light and temperature also affecteddevelopment of the embryoids significantly. The percentage ofanthers producing pollen embryoids increased almost linearlywhen the temperature was raised from 22 to 30 °C. At lowertemperatures (15 to 20 °C) no embryoids were produced. Cultureskept in darkness produced embryoids, but upon transfer of culturesto the light the percentage of responding anthers increasedconsiderably.     

Morphogenic studies in tissue cultures of the parasiteSantalum album L.

Whole seeds, excised embryos, and excised endosperm ofSantalum album were aseptically cultured with a view to studying seed germination in isolation from the host species, and to establishing callus cultures from both embryo and endosperm for comparative studies et their morphogenesis. Seed germination and seedling formation occurred normally only on modified White's medium supplemented with casein hydrolysate or coconut milk, or with both substances. Neither the excised embryo nor the endosperm grew on any of the culture media tested. However in about 17 per cent seed cultures on White's medium supplemented with 2,4-D, kinetin, and yeast extract, the endosperm degenerated, whereas the embryo callused and subsequently differentiated into innumerable embryoids; eventually the embryoids developed into normal plantlets. Callusing of the endosperm occurred also in seed cultures on four media supplemented variously with 2,4-D, kinetin, and yeast extract. Although the endosperm tissue grew through several passages no organ fornation was observed.     

A Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Theobroma cacao Somatic Embryogenesis

This study describes the somatic embryogenesis of Theobromacacao L. with a scanning electron microscope. It revealed earlydevelopmental stages as globular and incipient heart-shaped.Morphological abnormalities, such as the occurrence of threeand four cotyledons and round or long forms of embryoids witha long and thin or short and thick stalk-like structure whichseems to equate to a suspensor, were also observed. A suspensorwas found in some embryoids. cacao, Theobroma cacao, embryoids, somatic embryogenesis, SEM     

Induction of androgenic cultures in Siberian larch

Male generative buds of the Siberian larch have no organic quiescence during the autumn-winter period and are capable of completing the development of male generative structures under favorable conditions. When microsporophylls of the Siberian larch were cultivated on medium MS with 0.2 mg/1 2.4-D, embryoids of two types were obtained: directly from the microspore body and via formation of organogenic callus. This means that in the Siberian larch, direct and indirect androgenesis in vitro is possible. The Siberian larch pollen was first germinated in vitro, which was enhanced by pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide.     

Asexual embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Quercus

Red oaks (Quercus rubra L.) were regenerated via direct and indirect asexual embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryo tissues. Late heart and early cotyledonary explants cultured in light on modified MS medium proved to be most embryogenic. Embryoids arose from explants cultured on various combinations of 2,4-D and BA. However, the highest percentages of normal polar embryoids were produced by explants cultured on growth-regulator-free media. Epicotyl dormancy of embryoids was overcome by desiccation (air drying and use of an osmoticum) and rehydration treatments. Asexual plantlet development paralleled developmental changes associated with seed germination. White oak (Quercus alba L.) embryoids were also regenerated, but failed to germinate.     

Stimulation of Rooting of Citrus Embryoids by Gibberellic Acid and Adenine Sulphate

Embryoids obtained from subcultured ovular callus of the Shamoutiorange (Citrus sinensis) were grown on Murashige and Tuckernutrient medium (BM) in the presence and absence of gibberellicacid (GA₂), adenine sulphate (ADS) and combinations of these.Both GA₂ and ADS stimulated significantly the rooting of smallembryoids with unorganized tissue, and larger embryoids withpartially developed root zones. Only large embryoids with fullydeveloped root zones rooted well on BM but better on BM+GA₂+ADS.Rooting was best on media containing 1 to 5 mg per 1 ADS, andthese two combined. The optimum sucrose concentrations were5 to 6 per cent. Shoot formation on embryoids prior to rootingcompletely inhibited rooting which is otherwise enhanced byGA₂+ADS. Filter-sterilized and autoclaved GA₂, showed similaractivity in rooting.     

Recent advances in anther culture of Hevea brasiliensis (Muell.-Arg.)

Summary The yield of pollen embryoids from cultured Hevea anthers was increased 4 fold by optimizing the proportion of ammonium nitrate to potassium nitrate in the dedifferentiation medium. For optimal differentiation of pollen embryoids, kinetin, 2,4-D and -naphtalene acetic acid are required. Anther culture for 50 days on the dedifferentiation medium is a prerequisite for the selective development of calli and embryoids from microspores.The determination of chromosome numbers in embryoids, plantlets and regenerated trees reveals that they originate from (poly)haploid pollen grains (n=2x=18). Aneuploid, triploid (3x=27) and tetraploid (4x=36) cells were encountered in increasing frequencies as the embryoids and plants developed. A few haploid cells with 9 chromosomes were consistently observed. Buds from shoots with mixoploid chromosome numbers can be grafted and the change in the chromosome constitution of the developing new shoots followed.     

Embryogenesis and Plantlet Formation in Tissue Cultures of Celery

Callus cultures were initiated from sections of petioles ofcelery (Apium graveolens) var. Lathom Blanching on a modificationof the Murashige and Skoog medium. The callus, when isolatedfrom the parent explant, could be sub-cultured at regular intervalsforming both new callus and embryoids during each subculture.The embryoids appeared to be initiated on the callus surfacewhere early embryonic forms were found, but their continueddevelopment into plants only occurred when embryoids were transferredto a hormonefree medium. Embryoids were also formed in suspensionculture following inoculation of the liquid medium by differentiatingcallus, but again development of these structures was limitedto the early embryonic forms. When transferred to a solid hormone-freemedium, the embryoids, from either callus or suspension culture,developed into plantlets which could be transferred to soiland grown to maturity with only a few losses. The relevanceof this system as an aid in the breeding programme of self-blanchingcelery is discussed.