Rapid propagation of Eleutherococcus senticosus via direct somatic embryogenesis from explants of seedlings

Explants from three different parts (cotyledon, hypocotyl or root) of one week-old seedlings of Eleutherococcus senticosus were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 mg l^-1 2,4-D. Somatic embryos were formed directly from the surfaces of explants. The frequency of direct somatic embryo formation was the highest in the hypocotyl segments (75%) as compared to cotyledon (56%) or root segments (12%). When hypocotyl explants from 3 different stages of seedlings (zero, one or three week-old) were cultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg l^-1 2,4-D, the frequency of somatic embryo formation rapidly declined as the zygotic embryos germinated. However most somatic embryos (93%) from explants of zygotic embryos developed as fused state (multiple embryo), whereas somatic embryos (over 89%) from more developed seedlings developed into single state (single embryo). Single embryos germinated and regenerated into plantlets with both shoots and roots, while multiple embryos only regenerated into only multiple shoots. Plantlets that regenerated from single embryos of E. senticosus were acclimatized in a greenhouse. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of type of explant and age,plant growth regulators and medium strength on somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus camaldulensis</Emphasis>

Plant regeneration was achieved through direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis in Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Callus was induced from mature zygotic embryos and from cotyledon explants collected from 10, 15, 25, and 30-day-old seedlings cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Maximum callus induction from mature zygotic embryos was obtained on MS basal medium containing 1 mg l⁻¹ NAA. The frequency of callus development varied based on the age of the cotyledon explants 10-day-old explants giving highest percentage on MS basal medium supplemented with 1 mg l⁻¹ NAA. Callus obtained from mature zygotic embryos gave highest frequency of somatic embryogenesis on MS basal medium containing 0.5 mg l⁻¹ benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ NAA. Separate age wise culture of the calli, obtained from cotyledons of different ages cultured separately, revealed high somatic embryogenic potential on callus from 10-day-old cotyledons. Direct somatic embryogenesis too was obtained from hypocotyl explants without an intervening callus phase on MS basal medium containing 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BA. The effects of abscisic acid (ABA), sucrose, and different strengths of MS medium on somatic embryo maturation and germination were also investigated. Number of mature somatic embryos increased with lower concentrations (0–1 mg l⁻¹) of ABA while no significant differences were observed at higher concentrations (2–5 mg l⁻¹) of ABA. Compared to basal medium containing lower concentrations of sucrose (1%), the MS medium supplemented with higher levels of sucrose (4%) showed significantly lower frequency of mature somatic embryos. Basal medium without any dilution gave the highest number of immature embryos. However, the number of mature embryos was high at higher medium dilutions.     

Callus induction and high-efficiency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaver nudicaule</Emphasis> L., an ornamental medicinal plant

We describe culture conditions for a high-efficiency in vitro regeneration system of Papaver nudicaule through somatic embryogenesis and secondary somatic embryogenesis. The embryogenic callus induction rate was highest when petiole explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg l⁻¹ α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA) (36.7%). When transferred to plant growth regulator (PGR)-free medium, 430 somatic embryos formed asynchronously from 90 mg of embryogenic callus in each 100-ml flask. Early-stage somatic embryos were transferred to MS medium containing 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BA and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ NAA to germinate at high frequency (97.6%). One-third-strength MS medium with 1.0% sucrose and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ had the highest frequency of plantlet conversion from somatic embryos (91.2%). Over 90% of regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimated in the greenhouse. Secondary somatic embryos were frequently induced directly when the excised hypocotyls of the primary somatic embryos were cultured on MS medium without PGRs. Sucrose concentration significantly affected the induction of secondary embryos. The highest induction rate (89.5) and number of secondary somatic embryos per explant (9.3) were obtained by 1% sucrose. Most secondary embryos (87.2–94.3%) developed into the cotyledonary stage on induction medium. All cotyledonary secondary embryos were converted into plantlets both in liquid and on semisolid 1/3-strength MS medium with 1.0% sucrose.     

Plant regeneration via adventitious bud formation from cotyledon explants of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

Cotyledon explants of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) produced somatic embryos directly on medium without growth regulators, with 89% of the explants forming somatic embryos. Cytokinin treatment greatly suppressed somatic embryo formation but stimulated the direct formation of adventitious buds. BAP treatment was more effective than the kinetin treatment for adventitious bud formation. Auxin (0.05 mg/l IBA) in combination with cytokinin enhanced adventitious bud formation, with the highest frequency, 40%, at 0.05 mg/l IBA and 5 mg/l BAP. Adventitious buds were mainly formed near the distal portion of the cotyledons, while somatic embryos were formed near the proximal excised margins. Shoots were developed from adventitious buds after transfer to MS medium with 10 mg/l GA₃. Root formation from the shoots was obtained after the shoots were transferred to half-strength MS medium with auxin (IAA). When the plants derived from adventitious buds were transferred to greenhouse soil, 36% were successfully acclimatized. Received: 7 November 1997 / Revision received: 12 January 1998 / Accepted: 7 February 1998     

Direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis on cotyledon explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quassia amara</Emphasis> L., an antileukaemic drug plant

Summary In vitro propagation of Quassia amara L. (Simaroubaceae) was attempted using mature and juvenile explants. Attempts to establish in vitro culture using leaf and internode explants from a plant more than 15yr old were unsuccessful due to severe phenolic exudation. Plant regeneration through direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis was established from cotyledon explants. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 8.9 μM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 11.7 μM silver nitrate induced the highest number (mean of 32.4 embryos per cotyledon) of somatic embryos. Direct somatic embryogenesis as well as callus formation was observed on medium with BA (8.9–13.3 μM). Semi-mature pale green cotyledons were superior for the induction of somatic embryos. Embryos developed from the adaxial side as well as from the point of excision of the embryonic axis. More embryos were developed on the proximal end compared to mid and distal regions of the cotyledons. Subculture of callus (developed along with the somatic embryos on medium with BA alone) onto medium containing 8.9 μM BA and 11.7 μM silver nitrate produced a mean of 17.1 somatic embryos. Primary somatic embryos cultured on MS medium with 8.9 μM BA and 11.7μM silver nitrate produced a mean of 9.4 secondary somatic embryos. Most of the embryos developed up to early cotyledonary stage. Reduced concentration of BA (2.2 or 4.4 μM) improved maturation and conversion of embryos to plantlets. Ninety percent of the embryos converted to plantlets. The optimized protocol facilitated recovery of 30 plantlets per cotyledon explant within 80d. Plantlets transferred to small cups were subsequently transferred to field conditions with a survival rate of 90%.     

Plant regeneration via direct somatic embryogenesis in Panax japonicus

Panax japonicus is one of the important medicinal plants. Here, we established the protocol for plant regeneration of P. japonicus via direct somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos were directly obtained from the segments of zygotic embryos on MS medium with 4.4 μM 2,4-D. Thereafter, somatic embryos were produced by repetitive secondary somatic embryogenesis. The secondary somatic embryo formation was enhanced by plasmolyzing pretreatment (1.0 M mannitol for 10 h). Frequency of secondary somatic embryo formation from cotyledon segments was lowered by plasmolyzing pretreatment, but the number of somatic embryos per explants was greatly increased. Plasmolyzing pretreatment resulted in retardation of embryo growth and required subculture to fresh medium for further growth of embryos into cotyledonary stage. Without plasmolyzing pretreatment, cotyledonary embryos were obtained after 8 weeks of culture. All the cotyledonary somatic embryos germinated by 5 μM GA₃ treatment, but only 15.3% were germinated on hormone-free medium. After 2 months of culture on 1/2 strength WPM medium, plantlets produced flowers spontaneously. In the anthers of in vitro flowers, microsporogenesis occurred normally with low number of pollen grains.     

High-frequency somatic embryogenesis from germinated zygotic embryos of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schisandra chinensis</Emphasis> and evaluation of the effects of medium strength,sucrose, GA<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and BA on somatic embryo development

We developed a new protocol for highly efficient somatic embryogenesis and plantlet conversion of Schisandra chinensis. Friable embryogenic callus was induced from cotyledonary leaves and hypocotyls of germinated zygotic embryos on Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Preculture of zygotic embryos on 2,4-D-containing medium increased embryogenic callus induction efficiency. The highest embryogenic callus induction frequency of 56.7% was obtained from shoot apical meristem-containing hypocotyl explants from 1-week-old germinated embryos on MS medium containing 4.0 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D. Embryogenic callus proliferation, somatic embryo (SE) formation, and subsequent plantlet conversion occurred under optimal culture conditions. The effects of MS medium strength, sucrose, gibberellic acid (GA₃), and 6-benzyladenine (BA) on SE formation and plantlet conversion were evaluated. Low MS medium strength (1/4 to 1/2) was necessary for SE formation, and the optimal sucrose concentration was 2.0%. Supplementing medium with GA₃ negatively impacted SE formation and subsequent development. BA significantly increased the number of SEs and the plantlet conversion capacity. One-third-strength MS medium with 1.0% sucrose and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BA produced the highest number of SEs (309 embryos from 9 mg embryogenic callus) and the highest frequency of plantlet conversion from germinated SEs (52.6%). When transplanted to soil, 90% of the regenerated plants developed into normal plants.     

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.     

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in Drimia robusta

A simple efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was developed by direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis of Drimia robusta, a medicinal plant extensively used in South African traditional medicine. Different developmental stages of somatic embryos (SEs: globular embryos, partial pear-shaped embryos and club-shaped embryos), club-shaped cotyledon initiation, plumule initiation and plantlets were directly obtained from leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3.5 % (w/v) sucrose and different plant growth regulators (PGRs). In MS medium containing 3.5 % (w/v) sucrose and supplemented with 10 μM picloram, 1 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 20 μM glutamine, a higher number of SEs and plantlets were achieved. These were established onto half-strength MS medium followed by successful acclimatization (100 %) in the greenhouse. Liquid somatic embryo medium (SEM_L) containing 500 mg of friable embryogenic callus on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of PGRs and organic elicitors produced different stages of SEs. Somatic embryo production was enhanced by 0.5 μM picloram, 1 μM TDZ and mebendazole treatment. The highest number of plantlets (9.0 ± 0.70) was obtained in SEM_L containing 0.5 μM picloram, 1 μM TDZ and 25 mg l^?1 haemoglobin. All the cotyledon and plumule embryos germinated on half-strength MS medium, however 90 % of SEs germinated on half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid. All plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse. This first report of D. robusta somatic embryogenesis provides an opportunity to control extinction threats, ensure germplasm conservation and provides a system for analysis of bioactive compounds and bioactivity.     

Secondary somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in cassava

Somatic embryos isolated from mature seed-derived cotyledon cultures of cassava (Mannihot esculenta Crantz) underwent direct secondary somatic embryogenesis or plant development under appropriate incubation conditions. Isolated somatic embryos were subjected to a two-stage culture procedure similar to that which induced their development on cotyledon explants. This involved incubation for 24–30 days on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 2–8 mgl^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (Stage I medium) before transfer to medium supplemented with 0.01 mgl^-1 2,4-D and 0.1 mgl^-1 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) (Stage II medium). Under these conditions, secondary somatic embryos developed directly from the cotyledons and shoot-tip region of primary somatic embryos by a developmental process morphologically very similar to that occurring on zygotic cotyledon explants. Apical shoot extension and adventitious root formation occurred when somatic embryos were isolated from parental cultures and incubated on Stage II medium. Somatic embryo-derived plants growing in greenhouse conditions appeared morphologically normal when compared with non-regenerated plants.     

Somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed production in Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz.

Young healthy cotyledon and leaf explants of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz. were incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0–5.0 mg/l 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) either alone or in combination with 0.3–1.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The optimum callus induction (100 %) was observed from cotyledon explants on MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/l 2, 4-D and 0.5 mg/l IBA. The friable, embryogenic callus when subcultured on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (3.0–5.0 mg/l) produced several somatic embryos at various stages of development (globular, heart, torpedo) after 45 days of culture. The highest frequency of callus embryogenesis was observed on ½MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/l IBA. Moreover, 47 % of incubated callus responded with a mean number of 16.3 somatic embryos per gram callus. For germination, somatic embryos at the torpedo stage were isolated and subcultured on ½MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l each of 6-benzyladenine and indole-3-acetic acid. After 45 days of culture, plantlets developed with mean lengths of 3.8 cm. Somatic embryos at the torpedo stage were collected and suspended in a matrix of MS medium containing sodium alginate (3 % W/V), dropped into 100 mM calcium chloride (CaCl₂·2H₂O) solution for the production of synthetic seeds. Optimum growth ability of synthetic seed was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA₃). Well developed healthy plantlets derived from somatic embryos and synthetic seeds were hardened and successfully transplanted to soil.     

Somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia chebula</Emphasis> Retz.: an important medicinal tree

Somatic embryogenesis was obtained from cotyledon and mature zygotic embryo callus cultures of Terminalia chebula Retz. Callus cultures of cotyledon and mature zygotic embryo were initiated on induction medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrients with 1.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) either 0.01 or 0.1 mg/l Kinetin and 30 g/l sucrose. Induction of somatic embryogenesis, proliferation and development was obtained through different culture passages. Embryogenic cotyledon callus with globular somatic embryos was obtained on MS basal medium supplemented with 50 g/l sucrose. Globular somatic embryos were observed from mature zygotic embryo callus on induction medium. Different stages of somatic embryo development from cotyledon and mature zygotic embryo calluses were observed on MS basal medium supplemented with 50 g/l sucrose after 4 weeks of culture. Histological studies have revealed the developmental stages of somatic embryos. A maximum of 40.3±1.45 cotyledonary somatic embryos/callus was obtained from mature zygotic embryo compared to 7.70±0.37 cotyledonary somatic embryos/callus initiated from cotyledons. Germination of somatic embryos and conversion to plants were achieved. Highest frequency of germination (46.66±0.88) of somatic embryos was obtained on MS basal medium containing benzyladenine (0.5 mg/l) with 30 g/l sucrose.     

Large-scale somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax notoginseng</Emphasis>

An efficient system for inducing somatic embryogenesis in Panax notoginseng was established using shaker flasks and bioreactor cultures; furthermore, regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to ex vitro soil conditions. Embryogenic callus was induced from segments of adventitious roots incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) after 5 weeks of culturing. The highest frequency (100%) of somatic embryogenesis, with a mean of 32.7 somatic embryos per callus, was obtained on embryogenic callus incubated on a medium containing 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D. To scale-up somatic embryo formation, 10 g (~1.65 × 10⁴) of early globular-stage somatic embryos were incubated in a 3 L airlift bioreactor containing 1.5 L 1/2 MS medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs) for a period of 4 weeks; these globular-stage somatic embryos then developed into cotyledonary embryos. When maintained on PGR-free medium, the cotyledonary embryos developed roots but did not develop shoots. However, when they were treated with gibberellic acid (GA₃), they continued to germinate and transformed into plantlets after 2 weeks of culture. Plantlets with well-developed shoots and roots were transferred to an autoclaved vermiculite and perlite mixture, acclimatized for a period of 3 months and successfully transferred to forest mountain soil. Following overwintering, these plants produced new growth.     

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from in vitro tissue culture in two Tunisian Cucumis melo cultivars Maazoun and Beji

Hypocotyl, cotyledon and zygotic embryo explants from two Tunisian Cucumis melo L. cultivars Beji and Maazoun, cultured on the MS medium added with 2,4-D (0.25–1 mg l⁻¹) and BA (0.10–0.50 mg l⁻¹), produce calluses with somatic embryos after 3 weeks of culture. For Beji c.v. the highest percentage (62.50%) of embryogenesis was observed for cotyledons. The average embryo number per callus was 10.40. Embryogenesis induction for zygotic embryos reached 33.50% with 29 embryos per callus. The embryogenesis ability of hypocotyls did not exceed 12.50% (2.50 embryos per callus). Somatic embryogenesis for Maazoun c.v. explants was less efficient. Embryos formation was observed only for cotyledons (29%) and zygotic embryos (25%). Cotyledonary staged embryos, when transferred to hormone free MS medium, germinated. The maximum germination rates were 51.50 and 44.50%, respectively for Maazoun and Beji c.v. The highest percentage (36.50%) of survival plants was noted for Beji c.v. Regenerants were diploids (2n = 2x = 24) and morphologically similar to their parents issued from seeds.     

Direct somatic embryogenesis in a selected tea clone, `TRI-2025' (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) from nodal explants

An efficient method for the in vitro propagation of a tea (Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze) clone, `TRI-2025', from somatic embryos is described. This technique involves two phases; the induction of adventitious buds from nodal cuttings followed by the development of somatic embryos. Single nodal cuttings were excised from 1-year-old in vitro axenic cultures and inoculated on MS medium with different combinations of IBA/BAP/GA₃. Induction of multiple shoots from nodal explants occurred on MS medium with 0.5 mg l^–1 BAP, 0.1 mg l^–1 IBA and 0.0 mg l^–1 GA₃ within 6 weeks of incubation. The cultures with multiple shoots were transferred to fresh medium, incubated for 120 days and transferred to MS medium with half-strength macro nutrients, full-strength micronutrients and vitamins and no growth regulator. The direct induction of somatic embryos without callus formation occurred on this medium at 60% frequency within 4 weeks. The production of embryos continued upon transfer of the cultures to fresh medium and a four- to eightfold multiplication rate was obtained during each 6-week culture cycle. The plantlets from these embryos were acclimatised with a 90% success rate. All plants were vigorous and hardy, with well-developed tap-root systems. Received: 20 July 1996 / Revision received: 2 January 1998 / Accepted: 19 January 1998     

Somatic embryogenesis of two new <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> cultivars,Yun-Poong and Chun-Poong

Somatic embryogenesis from single cells is important for normal plant regeneration of ginseng. Cotyledon explants from zygotic embryos of two new ginseng cultivars, Chun-Poong and Yun-Poong, produced somatic embryos on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium and MS medium containing growth regulators. The highest frequency of single somatic embryo formation was obtained when cotyledon explants were excised from premature (cultured for 1 day) zygotic embryos (about 6 mm in length) of both cvs. Chun-Poong and Yun-Poong and then cultured on MS medium supplemented with 7% sucrose. The frequency of single somatic embryo formation was strongly enhanced when Chun-Poong cotyledons were subjected to plasmolysis with 0.1–0.5 M sucrose for 24 h and Yun-Poong cotyledons to plasmolysis with 1.0 M sucrose for 24 h and then cultured on MS medium with 2,4-D.     

Somatic embryogenesis from cultured epicotyls and primary leaves of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Summary Regeneration of several varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] by somatic embryogenesis from cultured epicotyls and primary leaves has been demonstrated. Somatic embryogenesis was induced from epicotyls and primary leaves when cotyledon halves with the intact zygotic embryo axes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 10 mg 1⁻¹ (45.2 μM) 2,4-D. Stable, continuously proliferating globular embryo cultures (GEC) were established from small groups of somatic embryos on MS medium supplemented with 20 mg 1⁻¹ (90.5 μM) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Rapid multiplication of shoot tips from germinating somatic embryos was achieved on Cheng’s basal medium (CBO) containing 2.5 mg 1⁻¹ (11.3 μM) 6-benzyladenine. Fertile plants were obtained from individual somatic embryos and in vitro propagated adventitious shoot bud cultures.     

A protocol for direct somatic embryogenesis of Protea cynaroides L. using zygotic embryos and cotyledon tissues

We describe a protocol for somatic embryogenesis of Protea cynaroides, with potential for high frequency production of this important horticultural species. Somatic embryos formed directly on both P. cynaroides mature zygotic embryos and excised cotyledons cultured on MS medium without growth regulators. The addition of growth regulators such as naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (5; 13 and 27 μM) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (5; 11 and 23 μM), in combination with thidiazuron (TDZ) (1 μM), benzylaminopurine (BAP) (1 μM) or kinetin (1 μM) suppressed the formation of somatic embryos. After eight weeks in culture, formation of somatic embryos was observed. Zygotic explants formed the most embryos when cultured in a 12-h photoperiod in comparison to explants cultured in the dark. Up to 83% of these embryos germinated after transferal to the germination medium containing 0.3 μM GA₃. Significantly fewer embryos germinated in MS medium with no growth regulators, or supplemented with higher concentrations of GA₃, while low germination percentages were also observed in MS media containing casein hydrolysate and coconut water. The germination of normal somatic embryos (two separate cotyledons and a single radicle) was observed only in media containing either no growth regulators, 0.3 μM GA₃ or 1 μM GA₃. All embryos that germinated in high concentrations of GA₃ were malformed.     

Plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis from cultured immature embryos of oak (Querem robur L.) and linden (Tilia cordata Mill.)

Embryogenic cultures and somatic embryos were obtained from immature zygotic embryos of oak (Quercus robur L.) cultured on a modified MS medium and WPM containing BAP (1 mg·l^–1) and GA₃ (1 mg·l^–1) or BAP and IBA. Germination and conversion of oak somatic embryos into plantlets was achieved on WPM containing a reduced concentration of cytokinin. Linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) somatic embryos developed in embryogenic tissues initiated from immature zygotic embryos cultured on a modified MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.3-2.0 mg·l^–1). Germination of linden somatic embryos and plantlet formation occurred on MS medium containing a low concentration of IBA. Oak and linden plantlets produced from somatic embryos were successfully established in soil. Somatic embryos and plantlets were also regenerated from embryogenic cultures of Quercus petraea and Tilia platyphyllos.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzyIaminopurine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - WPM woody plant medium     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf and petiole explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campanula punctata</Emphasis> Lam. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">rubriflora</Emphasis> Makino

A simple and efficient protocol was developed for somatic embryogenesis from leaf and petiole explants of Campanula punctata Lam. var. rubriflora Makino. Somatic embryos (SE) were obtained with greater frequency from petiole explants than from leaf explants when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). On this medium, a mean number of 19.5 and 31.2 SE were developed per leaf and petiole explants, respectively. Embryos were induced both light and dark conditions but culturing the explants 2 weeks in the dark followed by 3 weeks under light resulted in high frequency of embryo formation. Globular embryos germinated best on MS medium supplemented with 0.3% (w/v) activated charcoal (AC) and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ GA₃. The germinated plantlets grew further on MS medium containing 0.3% AC. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse with 94% survival rate. This is the first report on induction of somatic embryogenesis in this genus and also has implications for genetic transformation, and mass clonal propagation.