Development and germination of pecan somatic embryos derived from liquid culture

Aggregates of globular and pre-globular stage somatic embryos from suspension cultures of pecan (Carya illinoensis Koch) were cultured on solidified media for embryo development. Embryo aggregates and pre-globular stage embryo masses were given various treatments to further ontologic development. A 2- to 4-wk mild dehydration of the embryo aggregates suppressed recurrent embryogenesis, promoted development of globular embryos into cotyledonary stage embryos, and enhanced plant development beyond germination. Fine embryogenic tissue masses filtered from suspension formed cotyledonary-staged embryos when the collection filters were plated on solified medium. The embryogenic capacity of preglobular stage embryo masses was compared between media supplemented with varying concentrations of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 8 000) vs. filter overlays. The filter paper overlays were not necessary for embryo development. An inverse relationship was found between the number of embryos that developed and the concentration of polyethylene glycol in the medium. However, this relationship was reversed for ability of embryos to germinate and develop into a plant.     

Embryo development from discrete cell aggregates inIpomoea Batatas (L.) Lam. in response to structural polarity

Summary High numbers of embryos are difficult to obtain in liquid cultures of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) because discrete cell aggregates, produced through calli fragmentation, do not support embryo growth. In an effort to demonstrate that embryo development is possible from discrete cell aggregates, we compared embryo formation from cell aggregates 250–355 μm in diameter cultured either in suspension in liquid medium, on agar solidified medium, or immobilized on alginate beads floated in liquid medium. Embryos were initiated but remained arrested in their globular stage on cell aggregates cultured in suspension. Embryos developed to the torpedo stage from cell aggregates cultured on solidified medium and from cell aggregates anchored on alginate beads. Thus, embryos continued to develop beyond the globular stage when a structural polarity, which led probably to the establishment of a physiological polarity, was created. The production of sweet potato embryos in liquid culture can be improved by using alginate beads or culture conditions and protocols leading to the release during calli fragmentation of polarized individual cell aggregates. This work was supported in part by a IFAS/Gas Research Institute cooperative grant. Florida Agriculture Experiment Station Journal Series 9297     

Improvement of Citrus somatic embryo development by temporary immersion

Liquid medium improves and facilitates somatic embryo development from Citrus deliciosa Ten. suspension cultures. Three different culture conditions were compared to determine a means of overcoming poor somatic embryo development. Somatic embryos derived from suspension cultures were plated on solid medium, maintained in suspension culture or temporarily immersed. About 60% of somatic embryos plated on solid medium developed to the cotyledonary stage, but were hyperhydric. Continuous growth in suspension culture at 100 rpm hindered cotyledon and protoderm formation, and somatic embryos were unable to develop beyond the globular stage. Temporary immersion promoted somatic embryo development, i.e. 66% of the somatic embryos produced were cotyledonary, and were morphologically similar to nucellar embryos. This latter culture system also improved regeneration synchronization by hampering secondary embryogenesis at the onset of germination. Irrespective of the culture system used, most cotyledonary somatic embryos studied had no caulinary meristem or starch and protein reserves, thus explaining the low germination rates obtained. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Embryogenic suspensions of adult cork oak: the first step towards mass propagation

Protocols have been established to clone adult cork oak trees by somatic embryogenesis using semisolid medium. However, for economically viable mass propagation, embryogenic cultures in liquid medium need to be developed. In this study, suspension cultures were initiated from embryo clusters obtained by secondary embryogenesis on a gelled medium lacking plant growth regulators. After 6 days of culture, these embryo clusters generated high cell density suspensions that also contained small organized structures (embryos and embryogenic clumps). As the culture duration increased, tissue necrosis and fewer embryogenic structures were observed and the establishment of suspension cultures failed. An alternative method was found adequate for initiation of embryogenic suspensions: embryo clusters from gelled medium were briefly shaken in liquid medium and detached cells and embryogenic masses of 41–800 μm were used as inoculum. Maintenance of embryogenic suspensions was achieved using a low-density inoculum (43 mg l^?1) by subculturing four embryogenic clumps of 0.8–1.2 mm per 70 ml of medium. Proliferation ability was maintained for almost 1 year through ten consecutive subcultures. The initiation and maintenance protocols first developed for a single genotype were effective when tested on 11 cork oak genotypes.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cell suspension culture of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.)

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved from cell suspension cultures of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.). Initially, friable embryogenic calluses were induced from cotyledonary leaves of niger on Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium containing 5 μM 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 μM kinetin (KIN). Cell suspension cultures were established by using embryogenic calluses in MS liquid medium containing 5 μM 2,4-D and 0.5 μM KIN. Initiation of somatic embryogenesis and development up to globular stage from embryogenic cell clumps occurred in the liquid medium itself. Thereafter embryogenic cell aggregates were transferred to MS agar medium supplemented with 3 μM KIN for embryo differentiation, whereas maturation of somatic embryos occurred in MS agar medium containing 10 μM abscisic acid.     

Repetitive somatic embryogenesis from peanut cultures in liquid medium

Summary A regeneration system based on repetitive somatic embryogenesis was developed for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Embryogenic suspension cultures were initiated using individual somatic embryos induced from immature cotyledons cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 40 mg/l 2,4-D for 30 days. After transfer to a modified MS liquid medium, the somatic embryos produced masses of secondary and tertiary embryos which continued to proliferate following manual separation and subculture of the embryogenic clumps. The cultures exhibited exponential growth, and have been maintained for over one year without apparent loss of embryogenic potential. Further embryo development, germination, and conversion were achieved by placing embryo clumps onto hormone-free, solid medium. The inclusion of a desiccation period during embryo development enhanced conversion four-fold. Plants have been established in soil and appear to be phenotypically normal.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - BA 6-benzylaminopurine - MSO Modified Murashige and Skoog basal medium - EM embryogenic masses     

Monoclonal antibody against a cell wall marker protein for embryogenic potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylis glomerata</Emphasis> L. suspension cultures

We identified and isolated a monoclonal antibody (MAb 3G2) raised against extracellular proteins from microcluster cells of orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) embryogenic suspension culture. MAb 3G2 recognized with high specificity an antigen ionically bound within the primary cell wall and in the culture medium of microcluster cells. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel analysis and blotting of proteins on PVDF membrane showed that MAb 3G2 detected a single polypeptide of apparent molecular mass of 48 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.2, designated EP48. A transient expression during somatic embryogenesis was observed for EP48. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that this protein highly accumulated in the cell walls of some single cells, microclusters and partly in proembryogenic masses (PEMs), but not in globular embryos of the embryogenic cell line and microclusters from the non-embryogenic cell line. Signal intensity varied between individual cells of the same population and in successive stages of somatic embryo development. Screening of several D. glomerata L. embryogenic and non-embryogenic cell lines with MAb 3G2 indicated the presence of ECP48 in only embryogenic suspension cultures at early stages of embryo development long before morphological changes have taken place and thus it could serve as an early marker for embryogenic potential in D. glomerata L. suspension cultures.     

Somatic embryogenesis from hypocotyl callus cultures of Digitalis obscura L.

Hypocotyl-derived calli obtained in agar solidified medium with several growth regulator combinations gave rise to proembryonal masses and globular embryos when transferred to liquid media with lower growth regulator and higher NH₄HO₃ levels. By transferring cultures from liquid media to different solidified media, new embryo formation took place, but further development of these embryos or those previously induced depended on the characteristics of these media. Normal development was only achieved on 8 g/l agar solidified medium without growth regulators. Typical cotyledonary embryos developed into whole plants when transferred to this same medium.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - CH casein hydrolysate - CM coconut milk - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2iP 2-isopentenyladenine - Kn kinetin - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA indoleacetic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.): control of somatic embryo development by nitrogen compounds

Embryogenic cultures of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) were initiated from mechanically wounded mature zygotic embryos on 2,4-D-containing MS medium, and on hormone-free, semisolid modified MS medium containing NH4Cl as the sole source of nitrogen. The habituated line was derived from the embryogenic tissue induced with 2,4-D and maintained on medium without growth regulators. Sustained subculturing of the three embryogenic lines on a medium with NH4Cl as the sole source of nitrogen enabled the establishment of highly uniform cultures in which no further development into mature embryo stages occurred. The tissue consisting of proembryogenic globules or globular stage embryos was maintained, without decline, for over six years. Globular embryos proceeded to maturity when a combination of reduced (NH4) and unreduced (NO3) forms of nitrogen was provided in the medium. Different nitrogen sources in the medium caused changes of medium pH during subculture in the pH range of 4.0-6.5. The tissue growth and embryo development were blocked on medium with pH adjusted and stabilized at 4.0 or at 3.2.     

Asparagus somatic embryos: Production in suspension culture and conversion to plantlets on solidified medium as influenced by carbohydrate regime

Methods were developed for the production of somatic embryos of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) in suspension culture and subsequent conversion to plantlets on solidified medium. Stem-derived callus that was subcultured twice on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium + 0.54 M naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1.4 M 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) was used to initiate suspension cultures. Six out of 15 such cell suspensions (MS medium with 54 to 107 M NAA) had a high embryogenic capacity. These cell suspensions consisted primarily of single elongated cells (about 90% of all single cells), embryogenic cell clusters (2571/ml), and globular translucent embryos (32/ml). The latter converted to plantlets within four weeks on embryo development medium (EDM), which was solidified MS medium containing 0.54 M NAA and 0.98 M 2iP. Suspension-derived embryos formed secondary globular embryos at high frequencies (251 to 258/g callus) when placed on EDM with a low carbohydrate (sucrose, glucose or fructose) level (2%). In contrast, EDM with a high carbohydrate level (10%) caused a reduction in the frequency of secondary embryos (30 to 85/g callus), while resulting in the promotion of embryo growth and conversion, 3.6 to 8.5 times higher than 2% carbohydrates. Transfer of globular somatic embryos from cell suspension to EDM with high carbohydrate levels (4 to 10%) for two weeks followed by transfer to EDM with a low carbohydrate level (2%) resulted in a 2 to 4 times higher conversion rate to plantlets than those that remained at the 4 to 10% levels.Abbreviations ANOVA analysis of variance - EDM embryo development medium - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog - RCBD randomized complete block design - 2iP 2-isopentenyladenine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indoleacetic acid     

Studies on Somatic Embryogenesis and Histological Observation in Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312

A reproducible 3-step procedure of somatic embryogenesis of Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312 has been developed. Calli were initiated on LSC medium containing 0.1mg/L 2,4-D plus 0.1 mg/L KT from cotyledon tissue of 5-day-old-seedlings, and subcultured on the same medium with 4 mg/L NAA and 1 mg/L KT. Embryogenic calli and few globular embryos developed at a frequency of 67.5% after 55 days’ culture in the latter medium. When the embryogenic calli were transferred to growth regulator-free medium, embryogenesis occured and all stages of normal zygotic embryos, globular-, heart- and arrowhead- or torpedo-shaped embryo, ,were developed. Cyto-histological study showed that embryogenic calli were very easily distinguished from non-embryogenic calli. Embryoids were mainly initiated from the cells in the peripheral area of embryogenic calli. At the early stage the development of embryoid was limited in a boundary of thicken cell wail. There were 2 peaks of starch accumulation in the process of embryogenesis, one was at the early globular stage, and the other at the later torpedo-shaped stage.     

Factors influencing induction and maintenance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis rotundifolia</Emphasis> Michx. embryogenic cultures

Unopened leaves, petioles and fully opened leaves from micropropagation cultures of five Vitis rotundifolia Michx. varieties were cultured on induction medium to study their embryogenic response. Among the various explants tested, the maximum number of varieties produced embryogenic cultures from unopened leaves followed by fully opened leaves and petioles. Based on morphological differences, two types of embryogenic cultures were identified. Friable cultures typically arose as proembryonic masses (PEM) on induction medium, whereas somatic embryo production without an intervening PEM stage was observed in compact cultures. Of the five varieties tested, the highest frequency of embryogenic response was observed from fully opened leaves of ‘Supreme’ and unopened leaves and petioles of ‘Delicious’. Attempts to initiate suspension cultures from varieties resulted in proliferation and maintenance of ‘Alachua’ and ‘Carlos’ cultures in liquid medium for 16 weeks. Embryogenic potential of varieties was studied on cultures growing on embryo development medium. The maximum number of cotyledonary stage somatic embryos from 0.2 g proembryonic masses were observed in ‘Carlos’ (379.3) followed by ‘Alachua’ (350.0) and ‘Delicious’ (305.0). Cotyledonary stage somatic embryos germinated when cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1 μM Benzyladenine (BA). Although high embryo germination rates (80–100%) were observed in the varieties tested, plant recovery from germinated somatic embryos ranged from 6–47%. Embryogenic cultures could be maintained on X6 medium and used in genetic engineering studies.     

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.     

Somatic embryogenesis in suspension and suspension-derived callus cultures ofDactylis glomerata

Summary Suspension cultures were initiated from somatic embryos and embryogenic callus ofDactylis glomerata L. in SH-30 liquid medium [Schenk andHildebrandt (1972) containing 30 M 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba)] with or without 1.5 gl^–1 casein hydrolysate. Established suspension cultures maintained in SH-30 without casein hydrolysate proliferated when cell masses underwent cell division and enlargement. These cultures contained numerous root primordia and increased in volume when the cell masses continued to grow and fragment. Embryos developed only when cell masses were plated on solidified SH-30 medium. Cultures maintained in SH-30 liquid medium with casein hydrolysate also proliferated by the growth and fragmentation of cell masses. However, these cell masses contained numerous developing embryos and possessed few or no root primordia. Embryos were either attached to cell masses by a suspensor-like structure or were free and became fully developed in the liquid medium. Newly formed embryos became callused and produced embryogenic cell masses. Embryos germinated either in liquid or on solid SH medium without dicamba. The resulting plantlets possessed green shoots and well developed roots. Plants from suspension and suspension-derived callus cultures have been established in soil and grown to maturity.     

火炬松胚性细胞悬浮培养物的生长参数变化

以火炬松（PinustaedaL.）成熟合子胚来源的胚性愈伤组织为材料建立了胚性细胞悬浮系,测定了其培养物的鲜重、干重、细胞体积和胚数及培养液中的pH值、电导率和蔗糖浓度等生长参数在培养过程中的变化动态。结果表明,在培养周期内,培养液中的pH值、电导率和蔗糖浓度的逐步降低与培养物的鲜重、干重、细胞体积和胚胎数的逐步增加保持一致性。在培养至18—21d,pH值、电导率和蔗糖浓度均接近或降到最低点,而胚数及细胞体积的增长都达到最高点。     

Callus concentration regulates somatic embryo production in orchardgrass suspension cultures

Summary The effects of callus inoculation concentration and culture duration on somatic embryogenesis of orchardgrass,Dactylis glomerata L., were evaluated in suspension cultures of an embryogenic genotype Embryogen-P. Somatic embryo formation was induced in liquid SH medium containing 30 μM dicamba (SH-30 and 1.5% casein hydrolysate; embryo development was in liquid SH medium without plant growth regulators (SH-0); and embryo maturation and germination occurred on solid SH-0 medium. Callus proliferation in SH-30 suspension cultures was greatest when callus was inoculated into the liquid medium at a relatively high concentration of 4% (4 g callus/100 ml medium), but the induction of somatic embryos was highest in this medium if the callus was inoculated at a lower concentration (<2%). In a second experiment, somatic embryo yield was highest when SH-0 development medium was inoculated with suspension culture callus at 0.1% concentration and declined markedly as inoculation concentration increased. Cell concentration is a critical factor in regulating the somatic embryogenesis response in orchardgrass suspension cultures.     

Embryogenic Suspension Culture and Plant Regeneration from Suspension-Derived Proto-plasts of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Fast growing embryogenic cell suspension culture was established when embryogenic callus derived from cotyledon protoplasts of cucumber was transferred into a liquid culture. So far the cell line has been subcultured for two years and retained the ability of embryogenesis and plant regeneration. Experimental data showed that the concentration of ABA or sucrose had a dramatic effect on embryogenesis and synchronization of embryoid development. Low level of sucrose concentration (1%) facilitated the precocious germination of the embryoids while 1 mg/l of ABA or 7–9% of sucrose was found to be effective for reducing callusing of the cultures and synchronisticly controlling the embryoids at globular or late globular stage. Embryogenic cells taken from 3–5 days after subculture were enzymatically digested. A large amount of viable protoplasts was isolated. Protoplasts were cultured in a DPDK1 medium either by means of drop or thin layer liquid culture or by means of sodium alginate encapsulation culture. Actively dividing cells formed cell colonies and globular embryoids which were transferred onto a solidified agar medium or directly into a liquid medium to form a shaken culture. The embryoids would proliferated continuously. Embryoids eventually developed into plantlets when they were transferred onto a 1/2 MSO medium devoid of phytohormones.     

Embryogenic cultures of the leguminous tree Albizia julibrissin and recovery of plants

A somatic embryogenic system was developed and plants regenerated in mimosa (Albizia julibrissin Durazz). Development of somatic embryos in the species has not previously been reported. Immature seeds, embryo cotyledons and embryo axes (cotyledons removed) at defined developmental stages were placed on induction media with different concentrations of 2,4-D. Two distinct embryogenic responses occurred: either proembryo masses or cotyledonary-stage embryos. Twenty five percent of all embryo axes cultured on basal medium produced cotyledonary somatic embryos. Six percent of in ovulo immature seed explants generated proembryo masses. These masses proliferated in liquid culture in the dark. Proembryos developed further when transferred to a growth-regulator-free semisolid medium in the light. Somatic embryos derived from either proembryo suspensions or cotyledonary embryo cultures on semisolid medium germinated to form plants that continued to grow vigorously following transfer to soil. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

植物激素对棉花体细胞胚胎发生的诱导及调节作用

选用11种激素研究了外源激素对棉花胚性愈伤组织增殖、胚胎发生和发育的调控作用。结果表明不同激素对棉花胚性愈伤组织增殖、胚胎发生与发育的影响不同。除2,4-D和BA对棉花胚性愈伤组织的增殖影响不大外,其他激素对棉花胚性愈伤组织的增殖均具有抑制作用,且具有一定的时间效应,同时还受基因型的影响。激素对棉花体细胞胚的形成和发育的影响极大,2,4-D既抑制了体细胞胚的形成,又抑制了体细胞胚的发育;TDZ的作用与2,4-D相似,显抑制了体细胞胚的形成,且诱导获得的体细胞胚均停留在球形胚阶段;GA也抑制了体细胞胚的形成,且不利于体细胞的成熟与萌发;BU-30对棉花体细胞胚形成与发育的影响不大。其他7类生长素类物质和细胞分裂素类物质对棉花体细胞胚的形成均具有促进作用,且依IBA、ABA、IAA、BA、KT、ZT、2iP序增强,其总胚数为对照的1．193—3．852倍;其中2iP的促进作用最大,可使产生的体细胞胚数提高2．852倍。