Improved and synchronized maturation of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> (L.) H.Karst.) somatic embryos in temporary immersion bioreactors

Somatic embryogenesis offers many benefits for clonal propagation in large-scale plant production of conifers. A key rate-limiting step is the conversion from early-stage somatic embryos in pro-embryogenic masses (PEMs) to the maturation stage. Immature embryos in PEMs are present at different developmental stages, where some are unable to respond to the maturation treatment, thus limiting yields of mature embryos. Synchronization of early somatic embryo development in PEMs could greatly improve subsequent yields of mature embryos. A temporary immersion bioreactor designed for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.) was used in this study. Through a specific system for dispersion, connected tissue of PEMs, composed of immature embryos grown in liquid medium in the temporary immersion bioreactors or on solid medium as a control, was dispersed and redistributed in a more uniform spatial arrangement. It was demonstrated that development of mature embryos could be significantly stimulated by dispersion, compared to controls, in both medium types. Synchronization of maturation was evaluated by a statistical approach. The present study shows that the yield of mature embryos from dispersed PEMs was three to five times higher than that from non-dispersed controls in three of four cell lines of Norway spruce tested, both in bioreactors and on solid medium.     

Scanning electron microscopy of hydrated and desiccated mature somatic embryos and zygotic embryos of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss.)

Summary Four scanning electron microscope techniques for preparing somatic and zygotic embryos of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss.) were compared. Direct sputter coating without critical point drying worked well for desiccated embryos while conventional methods using chemical fixation were appropriate for hydrated somatic embryos. Low temperature scanning electron microscopy and plastic replicas provided excellent specimens of all embryos studied. Plastic replicas were used to document cotyledon formation and growth during maturation of somatic embryos. Apart from some differences in embryo size, orientation of cotyledons and surface wrinkling, the general morphology of mature somatic embryos of white spruce was very similar to zygotic embyros at a similar stage of development.     

The influence of culture vessel head-space volatiles on somatic embryo maturation in Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.]

The maturation of somatic embryos of Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] was found to be highly dependent on the method used to seal plastic Petri dishes. Large numbers of well-formed mature embryos developed if dishes were sealed with PVC cling-film (CF) whilst sealing with Parafilm M (PF) greatly reduced the numbers of embryos forming. Inclusion of potassium permanganate oxidation traps, normally used to deplete the atmospheric ethylene, greatly stimulated somatic embryo maturation under PF sealing. Similarly, traps of adsorption agents (Tenax, activated charcoal or soft white paraffin), capable of removing volatiles from the culture vessel head-space, stimulated somatic embryo maturation under PF sealing although to a lesser extent than the oxidation traps. Incorporation of silver nitrate or 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) in the culture medium indicated that ethylene was not the agent supressing somatic embryo maturation under PF sealing.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - CF PVC cling-film - PF Parafilm M     

Germination of encapsulated embryos of interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex) and black spruce (Picea mariana Mill.)

Interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex) and black spruce (Picea mariana Mill.) cotyledonary somatic embryos were encapsulated in sodium alginate. Somatic embryo viability was retained, but germination occurred at a reduced frequency compared with the equivalent zygotic embryos. The addition of 0.5% (w/v) activated charcoal to the alginate capsule significantly enhanced root development and germination for somatic embryos but not for zygotic embryos. The possibility of developing an artiflcal endosperm was also investigated, by addition of Litvay (Litvay et al. 1981) nutrients with or without 90 mM sucrose to the alginate-charcoal capsule. This treatment significantly enhanced root development for all embryo categories with the exception of black spruce somatic embryos. Encapsulated and non-encapsulated somatic embryos survived one month cold storage at 4 °C without reduction in germination frequency.NRCC No. 35895     

Production of vigorous,desiccation tolerant white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench.] Voss.) synthetic seeds in a bioreactor

Summary This report describes a low-cost method for generating large numbers of high quality mature white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench.] Voss) somatic embryos which survived desiccation and grew to plantlets more vigorously than excised zygotic embryos cultured in vitro. Somatic embryos from suspension culture were supported within a culture chamber on a flat absorbent pad above the surface of a liquid culture medium containing 20–50 M abscisic acid and 7.5 % polyethylene glycol. Throughout a 7 week culture period 3 L of fresh medium was pumped into one end of the chamber, while the spent medium exited by gravity from the opposite end. Over 6,300 cotyledonary stage white spruce somatic embryos were recovered after this time from a single culture chamber without manual manipulation. The somatic embryos were of excellent appearance with well developed cotyledons, and possessed high levels of storage lipids. They survived drying to about 8 % moisture content following treatment for 4 weeks at 63 % relative humidity, and following imbibition converted to normal plantlets at a frequency of 92 %, compared to 80 % for embryos grown in Petri dishes. Somatic embryos cultured within the bioreactor developed to plantlets that were 20 % longer than zygotic embryos excised from mature seed and grown in vitro, and were 38 % longer than somatic embryos cultured upon agar medium in Petri dishes.Plant Research Centre contribution No. 1523     

Somatic embryogenesis in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.)

Embryonal-suspensor masses from immature embryos from cones of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) proliferated on a modified Murashige & Skoog medium with N⁶-benzyl-aminopurine, kinetin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and an organic nitrogen source. The slimy white embryonal-suspensor masses with proembryos were maintained on a solid proliferation medium with reduced amounts of growth regulators. Transfer of embryonal-suspensor masses to a non-woven polyester carrier with liquid maturation media containing ±2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid and a reduced amount of inositol and organic nitrogen resulted in synchronized embryo formation. Further development was achieved on a medium without ±2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid and organic nitrogen. Somatic embryos were successfully transferred ex vitrum.Abbreviations ABA ±2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid - BAP N⁶-benzyl-aminopurine - ESM embryonal-suspensor masses - KIN kinetin - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Maturation,germination, and conversion of norway spruce (Picea abies L.) somatic embryos to plants

Summary Quantitative data are presented on the efficiency of three stages of plant regeneration from somatic embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.): 1) Maturation, the development of immature embryos to the cotyledonary stage; 2) Germination, primary root growth; and 3) Conversion, plantlet survival and continued growth in nonaxenic conditions. Maturation frequency was calculated relative to the number of immature somatic embryos induced to develop on the basal medium of von Arnold and Eriksson (1981). The average number of immature somatic embryos was 700 per gram of embryogenic callus, on medium supplemented with ABA and IBA (1 μM each). Maturation was the least efficient stage of regeneration; an average of 3% of the embryos induced to develop reached the cotyledonary stage. Mean germination frequencies were improved on treatments which avoided immersion of the radicle in medium solidified with agar. Whereas, 27% of the somatic embryos germinated when radicles were immersed in agar medium, 45% germinated when placed on the surface of the medium, and 56% germinated when cotyledons were immersed in agar medium and the culture vessel inverted. Twenty-nine percent of the somatic embryos germinatedin vitro were converted to plants. Under greenhouse conditions these plants set dormant buds, subsequently survived overwintering (to −5°C), and renewed vegetative growth synchronously with seedlings grown under the same conditions. Our results verified long-term (2 year) growth and development potential of conifer somatic embryo plants.     

Development of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss) somatic embryos during culture with abscisic acid and osmoticum, and their tolerance to drying and frozen storage

The limit of permeability of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench.]Voss) somatic embryo cell walls to molecules was in the orderof 30 . Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and dextrans of molecularweights greater than 1000 and 6000, respectively, produced anonpermeating (non-plasmolysing) water stress which improvedembryo development. Somatic embryos converted to plantlets atfrequencies of 76–84% following slow drying and storageat –20 C for 1 year, which was similar to the 77% recordedfor control somatic embryos slowly dried then germinated withoutfreezing or storage. Culture for 7–8 weeks with mediumcontaining abscisic acid, 3% sucrose, and 7.5% PEG 4000 yieldedsomatic embryos with five times the embryo storage lipid contentrecorded for zygotic embryos. During culture with PEG the moisturecontent of the somatic embryos decreased from 96% for immaturesuspension-cultured somatic embryos, to 47% for mature embryos.Somatic embryos cultured for 7–8 weeks survived rapiddrying to 5% moisture content, and converted to plantlets atfrequencies of 60–70%, but no somatic embryos survivedrapid drying when cultured for only 4 weeks; however, slow dryingdid induce desiccation tolerance in 3-week cultured somaticembryos. Abscisic acid was important to maintain embryos ina developmental state, but ABA alone did not induce desiccationtolerance. In order to induce desiccation tolerance a waterstress treatment was required. Tolerance of rapid drying coincidedwith moisture contents below 55%, which occurred after 5 weeksof culture in the presence of PEG 4000 and abscisic acid. Key words: Dextran, molecular weight, polyethylene glycol, triacylglycerol, water stress     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.) somatic embryos

These studies were designed to test if a binary vector containing the gfp, bar and oxalate oxidase genes could transform American chestnut somatic embryos; to see if a desiccation treatment during co-cultivation would affect the transformation frequency of different American chestnut somatic embryo clones; to explore the effects of more rapid desiccation; and to see if the antibiotics used to kill the Agrobacterium were interfering with the regeneration of the somatic embryos. Two days of gradual desiccation was found to significantly enhance transient GFP expression frequency. When this treatment was tested on six American chestnut clones, five were transformed and four of these remained embryogenic. Transformation was confirmed by Southern hybridization. Phenotypically normal transgenic shoots were regenerated and rooted. Vascular tissue specific expression of the oxalate oxidase gene was detected in one transgenic line. Carbenicillin, cefotaxime, and tricarcillin were found to not interfere with the regeneration of transformed embryos.     

The Effect of Explant Type on the Establishment of Sitka Spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] in Culture

Five different types of shoot tip explant from three-year-oldand 13-year-old Sitka spruce trees were established on a rangeof media and shoot growth was recorded. While Schenk and Hildebrandtmedium gave the greatest shoot elongation, Webb and Street mediumproduced the healthiest-looking shoots. Poorest growth was recordedfor the explants cultured without the crown or any vasculartissues from the previous year's growth. [¹⁴C]sucrose tracerstudies indicated that poor uptake was not responsible for thereduced growth and it was suggested that damage due to inadequatewater uptake may be responsible. Results demonstrated that peelingthe protective scales from resting buds and trimming the shoottissues below the crown to a wedge shape and excluding the barkwas a reliable method of explant preparation for establishingmature and juvenile Sitka spruce in culture. Picea sitchensis, Sitka spruce, mature, juvenile, crown, [¹⁴C]sucrose, micropropagation     

Development of somatic embryos in Norway spruce

Embryogenic cell lines of Norway spruce consist of a large number of somatic embryos. The cell lines have been divided into two groups, A and B. The group B embryos are developmentally blocked. Extracts of mature spruce seeds stimulate group B embryos to develop a morphology comparable to group A embryos. However, seed extract inhibits early embryo development. The active components in seed extract were shown probably to be proteins. Extracts of mature seeds contain chitinase-like proteins as recognized by an antibody towards chitinase 4 in sugar beet. Proteins of similar sizes were detected by the same antibody in the conditioned medium of group A, but not in group B. A chitinase 4-related chitinase and a nod factor had a stimulating effect on early embryo development, but did not influence the later stages of embryo development.Key words: Picea abies, somatic embryogenesis, embryo development, seed extract.      

Storage protein accumulation patterns in somatic embryos of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Summary The storage protein content of somatic embryos of Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 201 was determined using extinction level, antigen/antibody association detection methods. Mature storage protein was first detected in early globular-stage somatic embryos at a total concentration of 0.36% of the embryo protein mass. Tulip-stage and mature somatic embryos were comprised of 3.0% and 1.3% mature storage protein, respectively. Maximum storage protein synthesis was found to occur during early globular- and early heart-stages. During this period of development, significant levels of protein precursors were found also to accumulate. The pattern of storage protein synthesis, processing and accumulation paralleled the pattern that has been reported for the zygotic system, although somatic embryos accumulate storage protein at much earlier stages and to a lesser degree. The possibility of using complex biochemical pathways to monitor embryogenic systems in vitro is discussed.     

Enhancement of somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.)

Summary Embryogenic callus developed in 55% of the mature embryo explants of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) growing on a LP medium minus the amino acids and sugars (except sucrose). This is the highest reported yield of embryogenic callus from mature embryos of P. abies that has ever been reported. Callus induction from either the middle or the end of the hypocotyl of the embryos began after 2–3 weeks. Three types of calli were recovered: (a) globular, (b) light green-compact, (c) white mucilaginous. Only the white mucilaginous calli were embryogenic. The globular and light green-compact calli never become embryogenic, even after several subcultures. The development of somatic embryos was accomplished on half-strength macro-elements of NSIII medium containing 1 M -naphthaleneacetic acid, 1 M abscisic acid, and 3% sucrose. The addition of 10^–7 M buthionine sulfoximine to the medium increased the development of somatic embryos by three fold. These results suggest that there is a great potential for increasing the frequency and development of somatic embryos in P. abies. Careful selection of the genotype and modification of the culture medium is required.     

Storage protein accumulation during zygotic and somatic embryo development in Picea abies (Norway spruce)

Total protein was extracted from zygotic embryos and from somatic embryos of Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce) cultured in vitro at different times during their development. An analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the protein extracts showed that protein composition and the temporal changes in protein abundance were very similar in the two embryo types. Both zygotic and somatic embryos accumulated storage proteins in abundance during their maturation phase of growth; the somatic embryos when cultured on medium containing 90 m M sucrose and 7.6 μ M ABA. The major storage proteins are composed of polypeptides with molecular masses of about 22, 28, 33 and 42 kDa and they are identical in both embryo types according to their molecular mass and average isoelectric points. These proteins are also the most abundant proteins in the female gametophytic tissue of the mature seed.     

A novel method of cryopreservation without a cryoprotectant for immature somatic embryos of conifer

Cryopreservation of embryogenic tissue is an essential storage step in genotype selection and seedling production through somatic embryogenesis. To date, immature conifer somatic embryos, at the proliferation step, were only able to tolerate ultra low temperature after prior cryoprotectant treatments. We report a novel cryopreservation method for conifer (interior spruce and Douglas-fir) embryogenic tissue focusing on the maturation step of developing embryos that forgoes such cryoprotectant treatment. In this study, somatic embryos matured on culture media containing abscisic acid (ABA) at 20°C for 8 weeks. Typically, matured embryos in this manner were able to survive cryopreservation. The embryogenicity, however, decreased with increasing embryo maturity. Non-freezing low temperatures, such as 5°C, not only inhibited cotyledon development but also maintained embryogenicity. Cryotolerance was successfully induced when embryos were matured (or pretreated) under 5°C for a suitable culture period, typically 4–8 weeks. These embryos were able to survive a rapid cooling process and liquid nitrogen storage without the addition of any cryoprotectants. After cryopreservation, embryogenic tissue was recovered in both interior spruce and Douglas-fir. Embryo maturation tests indicated no difference in mature embryo yields with or without cryopreservation in interior spruce. The key factors inducing cryotolerance included ABA supplementation in culture media and low temperature pretreatment. Optimum combinations of these factors can result in high rates of tissue survival and high embryogenicity after cryopreservation.     

A key developmental switch during Norway spruce somatic embryogenesis is induced by withdrawal of growth regulators and is associated with cell death and extracellular acidification.

The biotechnology of somatic embryogenesis holds considerable promise for clonal propagation and breeding programs in forestry. To efficiently regulate the whole process of plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis, it is of outmost importance to understand early developmental events when somatic embryos are just formed. In Norway spruce, somatic embryos transdifferentiate from proembryogenic masses (PEMs). This work describes the developmental dynamics (frequency distribution of PEMs and early somatic embryos) of the whole embryogenic suspension culture growing in the presence and absence of plant growth regulators (PGRs), auxin and cytokinin. The experiments have shown that PEM-to-somatic embryo transition is a key developmental switch that determines the yield and quality of mature somatic embryos and ultimately plant production. This switch was induced by the withdrawal of PGRs in cell suspension leading to a rapid accumulation of early somatic embryos (to a maximum of 75% of the entire population of suspension culture) and concomitant degradation of PEMs. The latter was evident from increased level of cell death measured through spectrophotometric Evans blue staining assay. Proembryogenic mass-to-embryo transition and concomitant activation of cell death were mediated by strong extracellular acidification. Therefore, buffering PGR-free culture medium at high (pH 5.8) or low (pH 4.5) levels of pH inhibited both PEM-to-embryo transition and cell death. The yield of mature somatic embryos on abscisic acid (ABA)-containing medium was increased up to 10-fold if the suspension culture had been pretreated for 1 to 9 days in unbuffered PGR-free medium. In this case a large proportion (75%) of the total number of mature embryos was formed within a short, 5-week, contact with ABA. The latter is practically important because prolonged contact with ABA suppresses the growth of somatic embryo plants. Based on these results, an improved method for regulating somatic embryogenesis was set up and tested for nine genotypes of Norway spruce. Over 800 plants regenerated from all tested genotypes demonstrated a good performance in the greenhouse and they were transferred to the field.     

Enhanced Maturation and Desiccation Tolerance of White Spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] Somatic Embryos: Effects of a Non-plasmolysing Water Stress and Abscisic Acid

A non-plasmolysing moisture stress effected by polyethyleneglycol (PEG) was beneficial when applied to maturing white spruce(Picea glauca) somatic embryos for the following reasons. Anosmotic treatment of 5.0–7.5% PEG stimulated a threefoldincrease in the maturation frequency. The osmotically treatedsomatic embryos displayed higher dry weights and lower moisturecontents than the controls, indicating a greater accumulationof storage reserves. Moisture contents of mature, osmotically-treated,hydrated somatic embryos were 40–45%, in contrast to 57%for the non-osmotically treated controls. Desiccation was achievedby placing the somatic embryos in a range of relative-humidityenvironments. No clear trend for the effect of PEG on survivalof desiccated somatic embryos was observed; mean survival valuesranged from 34 to 62% when somatic embryos from all osmotictreatments were desiccated for 14 d at 81% relative humidity.Following this desiccation treatment, somatic embryos from allosmotic concentrations had moisture contents of 26–31%,similar to the 32% recorded for unimbibed zygotic embryos. Afterimbibition, moisture contents for these zygotic and somaticembryos were in the order of 60%. Somatic embryos matured withPEG remained quiescent during desiccation due to their low initialmoisture contents, and gave rise to plantlets of normal appearance.Gradual desiccation of the somatic embryos directly followingmaturation with abscisic acid (ABA) was crucial to survivalduring desiccation. A plasmolysing water stress effected bysucrose at osmotic potentials similar to PEG was detrimentalto somatic embryo maturation, thereby emphasizing the importanceof the choice of osmoticum. Desiccation, maturation, osmotic potential, Picea glauca, polyethylene glycol, somatic embryo, water stress, white spruce     

The effectiveness of various nitrogen sources in white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] somatic embryogenesis

The effects of glutamine-based dipeptides, glutamine and casein hydrolysate, as well as the deletion of organic nitrogen, were investigated during white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] somatic embryogenesis. There were no differences in the fresh weight increase of the tissue masses grown on initiation medium with different combinations of organic nitrogen. This was also the case for subsequent growth on kinetin medium, except that glutamine alone produced a significantly lower fresh weight increase than the other organic nitrogen combinations. Without organic (i.e. with only inorganic) nitrogen in the medium, the fresh weight increase was significantly less than with organic nitrogen on both initiation and kinetin medium. No differences were found between the dry/fresh weight ratios obtained with the various nitrogen treatments. The number of mature embryos produced per gram fresh weight when cultured in the absence of organic nitrogen was significantly higher than that obtained in its presence. There were no differences in the total number of mature embryos produced in cultures grown with various organic nitrogen combinations or without organic nitrogen. There were large clone differences with respect to the number of mature somatic embryos per gram tissue and the total number of somatic embryos produced. Hence, nitrogen type influences culture growth rate but not the number of mature somatic embryos produced. The latter was clone dependent.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - CH casein hydrolysate     

The sensitivity of transgenic spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) cotyledonary somatic embryos and somatic seedlings to kanamycin selection

Transformed white spruce cultures containing immature Stage I somatic embryos, were developed after particle bombardment of somatic embryos with pBI 426, carrying an expression cassette with a gus::nptII fusion gene. These Stage I cultures did not show tolerance to kanamycin concentrations above 3 to 5 mg l–1, although assays for GUS and NPTII showed that functional enzymes were present in the transgenic tissue. Embryonic liquid suspension cultures were initiated from this transformed tissue. After treatment on agar-solidified maturation medium with 48 m (±)-ABA high numbers of Stage III (cotyledonary) somatic embryos were produced. When subjected to an embryogenesis re-induction process with 2,4-D and BA, these Stage III embryos produced a new generation of Stage I embryogenic tissues which could tolerate 5--10 mg l–1 kanamycin. Stage III somatic embryos could alternatively be placed onto germination medium for the development of somatic seedlings. When germinated in the presence of 20 mg l–1 kanamycin, 77% of inoculants were resistant. The stability of integration of the gus::nptII fusion gene in the genome of white spruce Stage III somatic embryos and somatic seedlings was confirmed through Southern blot analysis     

Somatic embryogenesis in Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn

Induction of somatic embryos and plant regeneration was demonstrated for the first time in Alnus glutinosa. Somatic embryos were initiated from zygotic embryos collected 1–3 weeks post-anthesis (WPA), i.e., when they were at globular or early cotyledonary stage and were 0.5–1 mm in length. Induction frequency (16.6 %) and the mean number of somatic embryos (4.5 embryos/explant) were highest after culture of zygotic embryos, collected at 3 WPA, on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 0.9-μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2.22-μM benzyladenine (BA). No embryogenic induction was observed on medium with BA alone. Initial somatic embryos differentiated indirectly from callus tissue formed at the surface of the zygotic embryos. Embryogenic competence was maintained by secondary embryogenesis, which was affected by explant type, plant growth regulators and genotype. Secondary embryogenesis was induced by culture of small groups of whole somatic embryos or isolated cotyledon explants on medium consisting of MS medium (half-strength macronutrients) supplemented with 0.44-μM BA. Histological study of isolated cotyledon explants revealed that secondary embryos developed directly from differentiated embryogenic tissue on the surface of cotyledons. Somatic embryos at successive stages of development, including cotyledonary-stage embryos with shoot and root meristems, were evident. For plantlet conversion, somatic embryos were transferred to maturation medium supplemented with 3 % maltose, followed by 6 weeks of culture in Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 0.44-μM BA and 0.46-μM Zeatin (Z). This novel protocol appears promising for mass propagation, conservation and genetic transformation of black alder.