Long-term suspension cultures of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.) with high embryogenic potential

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cytokinin-independent embryogenic cell suspension cultures were derived and maintained for more than 3.5 years without losing the embryogenic potential. The preparation and the characteristics of the cucumber embryogenic cell suspension possess many similarities to that of carrot. The cultures were induced from hypocotyl explants of in vitro grown cucumber plants in liquid MS media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid as the sole growth regulator during 6 weeks and they contained a heterogeneous array of several different types of single cells and cell clusters (PEMs). The established cell suspensions were subcultured in 1-week interval, while the inoculation density was optimized to 2.0 × 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹ using cell viability as a marker. Somatic embryos were obtained after the transfer of the proembryogenic masses to a hormone-free semisolid MS medium with a frequency of 388 ± 57 somatic embryos per 1 ml of packed cell volume of the established cucumber embryogenic culture within 7 days. The frequency of normal somatic embryos with two cotyledons was found to be 78%. Such embryos possessed the potential of spontaneous maturation and the embryo conversion rates were 87%. The yield of normally growing plants was much higher compared with that previously described for cucumber systems. Somatic embryo-derived plants were successfully transferred to the greenhouse where they flowered and fruited.     

Efficient and stable regeneration from protoplasts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclamen coum</Emphasis> Miller via somatic embryogenesis

Embryogenic cultures of Cyclamen coum were established on solid media and in suspension, and their growth characteristics in response to different concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) were evaluated. Embryogenic cultures exhibited a high regeneration capacity of 876 somatic embryos per gram fresh mass. Up to 4.24 × 10⁵ protoplasts per gram of fresh mass were isolated from somatic embryos and embryogenic suspension cultures. Protoplasts derived from both embryos and suspension cultures were successfully cultured in vitro and regenerated into plants via somatic embryogenesis. Phenotypic analyses and flow cytometric measurements revealed that some regenerated plants were tetraploid. About 20% of the protoplast-derived calluses used for regeneration were tetraploid, while tetraploidy was found in 0.9% of the plants regenerated from the embryogenic cultures.     

Somatic embryogenesis from embryogenic cell suspension cultures of california poppy, Eschscholzia californica Cham

Summary A somatic embryogenesis protocol was developed for Eschscholzia californica Chan. (California poppy) using embryogenic cell suspensions and optimized media conditions. Rapidly-growing, finely-dispersed embryogenic cell suspension cultures were established from embryogenic callus and maintained in B5 liquid media supplemented with 0.5 mg 1⁻¹ (2.26 μM) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Culture conditions were optimized by investigating the effect of basal media composition, gyratory shaker speed, various carbon sources, different cytokinins, and AgNO₃ on the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis. After 40 d in culture, the somatic embryos that formed were counted and their overall growth expressed as pecked cell volume. The selected media consisted of either Gamborg (B5) or Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts and vitamins supplemented with 40 g 1⁻¹ (117 mM) sucrose, 0.05 mg 1⁻¹ (0.22 μM) 6-benzylaminopurine, and 10 mg l⁻¹ (58.8 μM) AgNO₃. Somatic embryo production was substantially reduced at shaker speeds above 40 rpm. Glucose and snerose were the most effective carbon sources, whereas fructose, galactose, and maltose resulted in a reduced yield and growth of somatic embryos. The development of somatic embryos was promoted by AgNO₃ at concentrations below 10 mg l⁻¹ (58.8 μM). A semi-solid medium containing 1.5 g l⁻¹ Gel-rite produced the highest frequency of somatic embryo conversion, and promoted the efficient growth of plantlets. Using the reported protocol, over 500 viable somatic embryos were produced per 25 ml of embryogenic cell suspension culture.     

Establishment of embryogenic callus and high protoplast yielding suspension cultures of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids)

For 18 sugarcane cultivars, four distinct callus types developed on leaf explant tissue cultured on modified MS medium, but only Type 3 (embryogenic) and Type 4 (organogenic) were capable of plant regeneration. Cell suspension cultures were initiated from embryogenic callus incubated in a liquid medium. In stage one the callus adapted to the liquid medium. In stage two a heterogeneous cell suspension culture formed in 14 cultivars after five to eight weeks of culture. In stage three a homogeneous cell suspension culture was developed in six cultivars after 10 to 14 weeks by selective subculturing to increase the proportion of actively dividing cells from the heterogeneous cell suspension culture. Plants were regenerated from cell aggregates in heterogeneous cell suspension cultures for up to 148 days of culture but plants could not be regenerated from homogeneous cell suspension cultures. High yields of protoplasts were obtained from homogeneous cell suspension cultures (3.4 to 5.2 × 10⁶ protoplasts per gram fresh weight of cells [gfwt^-1]) compared to heterogeneous cell suspension cultures (0.1 × 10⁶ protoplasts gfwt^-1). Higher yields of protoplasts were obtained from homogeneous cell suspension cultures for cultivars Q63 and Q96 after regenerating callus from the cell suspension cultures, then recycling this callus to liquid medium (S-cell suspension cultures). This process increased protoplast yield to 9.4 × 10⁶ protoplasts gfwt^-1. Protoplasts isolated from S-cell suspension cultures were regenerated to callus and recycled to produce SP-cell suspension cultures yielding 6.4 to 13.2 × 10⁶ protoplasts gfwt^-1. This recycling of callus to produce S-cell suspension cultures allowed protoplasts to be isolated for the first time from cell lines of cultivars Q110 and Q138.     

Development of an embryogenic suspension culture of soybean (Glycine max Merrill.)

A rapidly growing, maintainable, embryogenic suspension culture of Glycine max L. Merrill. has been generated. The culture consisted almost entirely of clumps of proliferating globular embryos with very little nonembryogenic tissues. The number and size of somatic embryo clumps were used to quantify growth of embryogenic tissues under various conditions. Initiation and proliferation of this embryogenic suspension culture were dependent on the inoculum, method of subculture, and composition of the subculture medium. Twenty to 50 mg of highly embryogenic, early-staged soybean tissue were inoculated into 35 ml of liquid culture medium containing 5 mg 1^–1 2,4-D and either 15 mM glutamine or preferably 5 mM asparagine. Suspension cultures were subcultured at the same inoculum density every 4 weeks. The embryos matured and germinated following placement on solid media, resulting in consistent plant regeneration.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Lilium longiflorum Thunb

Friable callus was obtained from styles and flower pedicels of Lilium longiflorum Snow Queen and the Oriental lily hybrid Star Gazer on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing either 2 μm dicamba or 2 μm picloram. Cell suspension cultures were established by suspending the callus of L. longiflorum Snow Queen in liquid medium containing 2 μm dicamba. Through a purification process, a fine fast-growing cell suspension was obtained. This suspension was composed of a homogenous population of small dense cells, which tended to organise into embryo like structures (ELS). In liquid culture with the auxin dicamba, the ELS underwent continuous callus formation. When transferred to solidified hormone-free MS medium, the ELS germinated, forming complete plantlets. Histological investigation showed that in the ELS both shoot and root meristems were distinctly evident. It was concluded that the ELS obtained were in fact somatic embryos. Received: 4 April 1997 / Revision received: 13 May 1997 / Accepted: 15 June 1997     

Optimization of growth and jaceosidin production in callus and cell suspension cultures of Saussurea medusa

Calli cultures derived from the leaves of Saussurea medusa were selected on the basis of colour into three callus, A, B and C, which suggested different levels of metabolite accumulation. An improved reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method provided selective determination of the jaceosidin content of these samples. The jaceosidin concentration in callus B was higher than that of the callus A and C. By using 12-day old culture and 9-day old inoculum, jaceosidin yield of 72.91 mg l^–1was obtained from cell line B in cell suspension cultures. The influence of some factors affecting jaceosidin formation, i.e. temperature, light, inoculum size, type of media, phytohormones, nitrogen and carbon source etc. were also examined. Light irradiation and combination of 3% (w/v) sucrose with 1% glucose brought about a marked increase of jaceosidin production. The effect of blue light on jaceosidin was markedly superior to other kinds of monochromatic light (red and far-red) or white light. Analysis of growth and jaceosidin content of callus cultures and cell suspension cultures demonstrated that the production of jaceosidin was growth-dependent in both cell solid culture and cell suspension culture.     

Plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of dune reed

Embryogenic callus, derived from mature seeds of dune reed (Phragmites communisTrinius) was used to establish suspension culture. Green shoot-forming type and albino shoot-forming type embryogenic callus of dune reed were selected carefully by the difference of shape and color of callus growing under light and mechanically dispersed before suspending in liquid MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l^–12,4-D. They were subcultured every 5 days to remove mucilaginous material in the early culture stage. Both fine albino and green shoot-forming cell suspension lines of dune reed were composed of rapidly growing small cell aggregates that were densely cytoplasmic and potentially embryogenic. Globular somatic embryos were continuously produced in each liquid medium containing 1.0 mg l^–1 2,4-D. The cell aggregates in fine albino cell suspension line (size below 300 m) were smaller than that of green shoot-forming cell suspension line (size between 300 and 800 m). Following transfer to a differentiation medium, both suspension cultures formed regenerating plants with normal roots and albinotic or green shoots, respectively.     

Recovery of somatic embryos and plantlets from protoplast cultures of Larix × eurolepis

Summary Somatic embryos and plantlets were regenerated from protoplasts of hybrid larch (Larix × eurolepis) isolated from two embryogenic callus and cell suspension culture lines (L1 and L2). L2, which was highly embryogenic, consistently yielded protoplasts that gave rise to somatic embryos. Centrifugation on a discontinuous medium/Percoll density gradient resulted in accumulation of embryogenic protoplasts in one of the Percoll interfaces. First division frequencies were in the range of 28–39% in line 1 and 18–20% in line 2 in both liquid and agarose-solidified culture media. The critical factor in maintaining high viability of cultures was lowering of osmotic pressure by dilution of the initial medium. The first somatic embryos were detected in 23- to 28-day-old cultures. Some of these developed into plants that were transferred to soil.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of embryogenic suspension cultures of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

An embryogenic suspension culture of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) consisting of small, embryogenic cell clusters was obtained from callus formed on basal sections of young leaves through a process of selective enrichment. These suspensions were used as a source of protoplasts. The isolated protoplasts divided at a frequency of 0.5–10% when plated in an agarose solidified culture medium. Conditioned medium, in which embryogenic Dactylis suspension cultures had been grown, was found to increase the rate of cell colony formation. Protoplast-derived colonies grew rapidly in a bead-type culture system of floating agarose slabs in liquid medium. New suspension cultures formed as the colonies grew out of the agarose. These cultures were embryogenic and formed green plantlets when plated on a solid medium lacking auxin. The plantlets were established in soil and grown to mature plants.Abbreviations B5 medium according to Gamborg et al. (1968) - SH-x medium according to Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) supplemented with x M dicamba - dicamba 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid - KM-8p medium 8p of Kao and Michayluk (1975)     

Establishment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyperus aromaticus</Emphasis> cell suspension cultures for the production of Juvenile hormone III

Cell suspension cultures of Cyperus aromaticus were established from the yellow friable callus derived from the root explants of in vitro plantlets. Four callus cell lines were selected based on their growth index from two populations of callus cultures originated from the mother plants grown in two different locations. The selected four cell lines (Z1, Z6, P4, P9) showed uniform cell growth but produced different amounts of juvenile hormone III (JHIII). The Z1 cell line possessed fast-growing characteristics, produced a high JHIII content, and was chosen as the elite cell line for an optimization study of C. aromaticus cell suspension cultures. An inoculum cell mass of 0.3 g from 12-d cultures in 30 ml culture medium was found to be the optimum inoculum size and culture age for establishing the cell suspension culture of C. aromaticus. MS basal medium supplemented with 4.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 5.5 mg/l NAA was found to be the best medium for production of maximum cell biomass and JHIII. These results indicated that JHIII can be produced from suspension culture of C. aromaticus using a single-stage cell-culture system.     

Plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures ofCamellia Japonica

Summary Two methods (I and II) for somatic embryo production from embryogenic suspension cultures ofCamellia japonica are presented. Method I, embryogenic suspension cultures, was established from suspension cultures initiated from leaf-derived callus. These cultures were maintained by reducing agitation and increasing subculture interval. Induction of somatic embryogenesis was achieved in MS28 medium, 6, 12, 24, and 36 mo. after culture establishment. Embryo production decreased after 1 yr of culture. Method II, suspensions of single embryogenic cells and proembryos, was obtained from leaves cultured in liquid MS13 medium 6 wk after culture initiation. Embryo production was 23 embryos/ml. Germination of cell suspension-derived embryos on MS56 medium was 16.7 % (&#x00B1;4.2%) for method I, and 35.4% (&#x00B1;5.1%) for method II. The embryos germinated into plantlets with 0 to 7 axillary shoots.     

The origin and development of somatic embryos following cryopreservation of an embryogenic suspension culture ofPicea sitchensis

Summary The development of somatic embryos in an embryogenic suspension culture ofPicea sitchensis was followed every day for two weeks after thawing from liquid nitrogen (LN₂). Only a few cells, primarily located at the periphery of the embryonic region of the embryos, survived cryopreservation in LN₂. Surviving cells were classified into two groups: embryogenic cells (EC) and non-embryogenic cells (NEC), based on their morphology and embryogenic competence. The dense cytoplasmic EC underwent organized growth and differentiation with first divisions occurring after 24 h, and embryo formation 6–8 days after thawing from LN₂. No evidence of asymmetrical divisions or free-nuclear stages was found during somatic embryo formation. NEC had less dense cytoplasm with numerous small vacuoles. One to five days after thawing the NEC became progressively more vacuolated and elongated. Histological examination revealed no mitotic activity in NEC, and six days after thawing NECs were seen as single cells or unorganized cell aggregates. Two weeks after thawing the appearance of the cryopreserved cultures was comparable to that of the untreated cultures.Abbreviations EC embryogenic cells - ECC embryogenic cell clusters - FDA fluorescein diacetate - GMA glycol methacrylate - LN₂ liquid nitrogen (–196°C) - NEC non-embryogenic cells     

Establishment and Growth of Embryogenic Suspension Cultures of Ocotea catharinensis Mez. (Lauraceae)

The focus of this study was to test the effects of 2,4-D, sucrose, culture media and initial inocula on the development of embryogenic suspension cultures of Ocotea catharinensis Mez. (Lauraceae). Suspension cultures were established in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% (w/v) sucrose either in the absence or in the presence of 2.2 μM 2,4-D, when higher cell viability was achieved. Under this culture condition the maximum fresh weight increase occurred in the fourth week. The cultures were yellow and consisted of a mixture of highly cytoplasmic single cells and small cell aggregates (<0.25 mm). The best proportion of inoculum per volume of medium for suspension culture development was 5% (w/w). Suspension cultures consisting of somatic embryos at the globular and cotyledonary stages (structures ranging from 1 to 3 mm) were successfully established on half-strength MS supplemented with 2% (w/w) sucrose through repetitive embryogenesis from the desiccated mature somatic embryos used as initial inoculum. The failure to initiate liquid cultures from non-desiccated mature somatic embryos was overcome by pre-treatment with air desiccation and reduction of the water content to 6.1 g H₂O g⁻¹ dry weight.     

High frequency plant regeneration from immature ovule-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum

Culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in cell suspension cultures of Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum are described. Immature ovules formed embryogenic calluses at a frequency of 40% when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The optimum ovule size for embryogenic callus formation ranged from 1 to 1.5 mm in length. Cell suspension cultures were established from embryogenic calluses using MS liquid medium containing 4.52 μM 2,4-D. Upon plating onto MS basal medium, cell aggregates from cell suspension cultures produced somatic embryos which then developed into plantlets. Regenerated plantlets were transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a growth chamber. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Elicitation with methyl-jasmonate stimulates peruvoside production in cell suspension cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thevetia peruviana</Emphasis>

Thevetia peruviana is a small tree that produces several compounds with pharmaceutical application, among which peruvoside could be highlighted. However, these compounds are produced in low concentration in the plant, making it important to develop strategies such as plant cell culture and elicitation to obtain higher quantities of the desired product. In this work, cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana were established in four different culture media: Murashige–Skoog (MS), half Murashige–Skoog (half MS), Schenk–Hildebrandt (SH), and Gamborg (B5) to study their effect on cell growth. Cell growth kinetics were studied in SH medium, and the extracellular peruvoside production during the culture time was determined. The best culture medium for the establishment of cell suspension cultures was MS with a growth index of 3.17 ± 0.2 g g⁻¹ inoculum. The cell growth kinetics showed the four characteristic growth phases of a cell culture (lag, exponential, stationary, and death), and during none of these phases was it possible to observe peruvoside production. The elicitor effect of methyl-jasmonate (MeJ) was studied in cell suspension cultures established in SH medium. The effect of MeJ concentration and the time in which it should be applied were determined. The best results were obtained at a concentration of 100 mg l⁻¹ of MeJ applied at the beginning of the culture, which induced a peruvoside production of 8.93 mg l⁻¹ medium. The current results are the first report of an in vitro peruvoside production system.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of perennial ryegrass

Summary Embryogenic callus induced from mature caryopses of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were placed in liquid half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium and supplemented with 6.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 3 g/l (w/v) casein hydrolysate (CH), and B5 vitamins, to initiate fast-growing highly embryogenic cell suspension cultures. Newly initiated suspension cultures contained a high level of large non-embryogenic cells (NE) with relatively few embryogenic (E) cells. Cell types were separated by discontinuous Percolls gradients or by filtering the newly initiated cultures through 31-μm nylon mesh. The growth conditions of the E cell were optimized by testing various media components including 2,4-D and sucrose, and subculture diluton ratio. Optimal shoot formation occurred after pretreatment of the embryogenic cells on solidified callus maintenance medium supplemented with 60 mg/l cefotaxime for 4 weeks prior to transfer to regeneration medium Regeneration media consisted of half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with B5 vitamins, 0.5 mg/l fluridone, and 0.5 mg/l BA. Most plants regenerated were albino with only a few green plants. Journal Paper number MAES 2959 of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Fertile Indica rice plants regenerated from protoplasts isolated from microspore derived cell suspensions

Rice plants (Oryza sativa L., Chinsurah Boro II var. Indica) were regenerated from protoplasts isolated from microspore derived cell suspensions. A simple procedure for the establishment of such cell suspension cultures from embryogenic microcallus derived from cultured isolated microspores of Indica-type rice is described. Regenerating protoplasts could readily be isolated from 5–12 months old cell suspensions showing visible colony formation in the range of 180–1050 colonies/10⁶ protoplasts after about one month in culture. More than 100 independent green plantlets were regenerated via secondary embryogenesis from ca 20×10⁶ protoplasts. Out of 32 plants grown to maturity under greenhouse conditions 24 were fertile.Abbreviations CH casein hydrolysate - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - ECS embryogenic cell suspension - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid     

Plant Regeneration from Immature Zygotic Embryo-Derived Embryogenic Calluses and Cell Suspension Cultures of Catharanthus roseus

Culture conditions for plant regeneration in immature zygotic embryo-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) Little Bright Eye are described. Immature zygotic embryos formed off-white, friable calluses at a frequency of 20% on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) after 8 weeks of culture. After a second subculture using MS basal medium at 4-week intervals, off-white friable calluses formed a small quantity of yellowish, compact embryogenic calluses. Upon transfer to MS basal medium, embryogenic calluses gave rise to numerous somatic embryos. Cell suspension cultures were established with embryogenic calluses using liquid MS medium supplemented with 4.52 µM 2,4-D. Embryogenic cell clumps from cell suspension cultures developed into plantlets at a frequency of 56.7% when plated onto MS basal medium. Plantlets were transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a growth chamber.     

Plant regeneration from embryogenic cell suspension cultures of wild sorghum (Sorghum dimidiatum Stapf.)

A simple and efficient protocol is described for regeneration of wild sorghum (Sorghum dimidiatum) from cell suspension cultures. Fast-growing cell suspensions were established from shoot-meristem-derived callus. Plating of the suspension on Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 2.5 mg l^–1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) resulted in the formation of embryogenic calli. High-frequency (80%) somatic embryogenesis from small cell clusters (300–400 μm) was observed when the cultures were initially maintained in liquid medium with reduced levels of 2,4-D (0.25 mg l^–1), followed by transfer to regeneration medium. Direct plating of these small clusters on regeneration medium or transfer to liquid regeneration medium containing kinetin and 6-benzylaminopurine resulted in the development of mature somatic embryos and plantlets. The regenerants developed to maturity and were all phenotypically and cytologically normal. Received: 20 May 1998 / Revision received: 1 September 1998 / Accepted: 23 September 1998