Acquisition of competence for shoot regeneration in leaf discs ofSaintpaufla ionantha xconfusa hybrids (African violet) cultured in vitro

Leaf discs fromSaintpaulia ionantha xconfusa hybrids (African violet) were transferred between basal medium (BM) containing no hormones and shoot-inducing medium (SIM) containing 2.0 mg 1^–1 indole acetic acid and 0.08 mg l^–1 6-benzylaminopurine to determine whether there is a window of competence for shoot regeneration. Leaf discs precultured on BM prior to transfer to SIM formed buds 3 days earlier than the controls (leaf discs not precultured) regardless of whether the discs were placed upside down or right side up on the medium. This suggests that cultured leaf cells were not competent for shoot induction during the first 3 days of culture. Leaf discs cultured right side up (abaxial surface to the medium) did not form buds on BM alone, unlike discs cultured upside down. Leaf disc survival was affected by a delay in hormonal exposure, but surviving leaf discs produced as many shoots as control leaf discs. This suggests that in the absence of exogenous plant hormones, cellular competence to regenerate shoots is not lost in excised leaf discs of African violet.Abbreviations BM Basal medium - SIM_Sho Shoot-inducing medium     

Genotypic variability for callus formation and plant regeneration in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Sixty rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.), belonging to three subspecies, japonica, indica and javanica (some japonicaXindica hybrids were included), were compared for their capacity for callus growth and plant regeneration. Tissue cultures initiated from mature seeds on Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium with 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were transferred to a medium containing 0.02 mg/l 2,4-D and 10 mg/l kinetin, from which plantlets were regenerated. Large variabilities in callus growth and plant regeneration potentials were revealed among the varieties tested. Most japonica varieties formed a callus that weighed more than 100 mg per seed 30 days after inoculation, and showed a relatively high regenerative potential, whereas indica varieties, japonica-indica hybrids and javanica varieties showed poor callus growth and plant regeneration, although considerable varietal variation was observed in each subspecies. The callus growth potential was not correlated with the plant regeneration potential. Histological observations revealed that the epithelium cells of the scutellum mainly proliferated to form a callus, from which shoot and root primordia were differentiated independently from each other. The shoot primordia developed into plantlets when roots were formed adventitiously. In a few cases, shoots and roots were bilaterally initiated from a single primordium.     

The requirement of chrysobactin dependent iron transport for virulence incited by Erwinia chrysanthemi on Saintpaulia ionantha

To incite a systemic disease on its specific host, Saintpaulia ionantha, the soft-rot Erwinia chrysanthemi strain 3937 requires a functional high affinity iron transport system. Under iron starvation, strain 3937 produces chrysobactin, a novel catechol-type siderophore. Recent advances in the biochemistry and genetics of iron assimilation in E. chrysanthemi are reported. Analysis of leaf intercellular fluid from healthy and infected plants suggests: (i) leaf vessels in which the bacteria develop during infection would be low in free iron and (ii) chrysobactin could be produced in planta.     

Histological changes associated with acquisition of competence for shoot regeneration in leaf discs ofSaintpaufla ionantha xconfusa hybrid (African violet) cultured in vitro

In leaf discs ofSaintpaulia ionantha xconfusa hybrid (cv. Virginia) cultured on shoot-inducing medium, periclinal divisions were initiated in epidermal cells 3–5 days after explant isolation. This timing coincided with the time for competence acquisition determined in tissue-transfer experiments. Some of the daughter cells from periclinal divisions formed the target cells which divided both anticlinally and periclinally to form cell division centers (meristemoids), precursors of adventitious shoots. The target cells were not morphologically distinct from other epidermal cells at the light microscope level. It is suggested that the periclinal divisions in epidermal cells represent the dedifferentiation phase during which target (competent) cells are formed. Once the cells have acquired the ability to divide periclinally, both dedifferentiation and shoot induction occur in the presence of exogenous plant hormones.Abbreviations SIM Shoot-inducing medium     

Cryopreservation of African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.) shoot tips

Summary Cryopreservation of African violet via encapsulation-dehydration, vitrification, and encapsulation-vitrification of shoot tips was evaluated. Encapsulation-dehydration, pretreatment of shoot tips with 0.3 M sucrose for 2 d followed by air dehydration for 2 and 4 h resulted in complete survival and 75% regrowth, respectively. Dehydration of encapsulated shoot tips with silica gel for 1 h resulted in 80% survival but only 30% regrowth. Higher viability of shoot tips was obtained when using a step-wise dehydration of the material rather than direct exposure to 100% plant vitrification solution (PVS2). Complete survival and 90% regrowth were achieved with a four-step dehydration with PVS2 at 25°C for 20 min prior to freezing. The use of 2M glycerol plus 0.4M sucrose or 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) plus 0.5M sucrose as a cryoprotectant resulted in 55% survival of shoots. The greatest survival (80–100%) and regrowth (80%) was obtained when shoot tips were cryoprotected with 10% DMSO plus 0.5M sucrose or 5% DMSO plus 0.75M sucrose followed by dehydration with 100% PVS2. Shoot tips cryoprotected with 2M glycerol plus 0.4M sucrose for 20 min exhibited complete survival (100%) and the highest regrowth (55%). In encapsulation-vitrification, dehydration of encapsulated and cryoprotected shoot tips with 100% PVS2 at 25°C for 5 min resulted in 85% survival and 80% regrowth.     

Plant regeneration from protoplast fusion inPassiflora spp.

Summary Protoplasts were isolated from leaf explants ofPassiflora edulis var.flavicarpa (the yellow passion fruit) and from cell suspensions of fivePassiflora species. Chemical fusion was performed using polyethylene glycol and the microcolonies obtained were transferred to growth medium to produce calli. Electrophoresis of soluble proteins and analysis of isoenzymes from calli produced from the fusion experiments were performed to select somatic hybrids. Specific polypeptide bands allowed the identification of somatic hybrids betweenP. edulis var.flavicarpa (+)P. alata, P. edulis var.flavicarpa (+)P. amethystina, P. edulis var.flavicarpa (+)P. cincinnata, P. edulis var.flavicarpa (+)P. giberti andP. edulis var.flavicarpa (+)P. coccinea. An average of 3 to 5% hybrid calli were obtained. With the exception of theP. edulis var.flavicarpa (+)P. coccinea, whole plants were recovered from all hybrids. These somatic hybrids showed 4n=36 chromosomes, which represents a further evidence of their hybridity.     

Efficient plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures of Cyclamen persicum Mill.

A protocol for plant regeneration from protoplasts has been developed, and then successfully applied to different genotypes of Cyclamen persicum Mill. Protoplasts were isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures by enzymatic digestion in 2% cellulase R10 and 0.5% macerozyme R10. Yields obtained varied between 1 and 5 × 10⁵ protoplasts per gram fresh mass depending on the genotype. Protoplasts were immobilized in alginate films, which promoted proper cell wall regeneration. The highest cell division frequencies were found in modified Kao and Michayluk (1975, Planta 126:105–110) medium containing the same types and concentrations of plant growth regulators that were applied for suspension culture (2.0 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.8 mg l⁻¹ 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)purine). Cell division was recorded for all 11 tested genotypes in frequencies of up to 12% and 18% after 7 and 14 days, respectively. However, cell division frequency varied strongly between different genotypes. After 4–6 weeks calluses were released from the alginate films and further cultured on hormone-containing medium for continued growth or transferred to hormone-free medium for regeneration of somatic embryos. Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis succeeded in 9 out of the 11 genotypes under investigation. Up to now protoplast-derived plants from four genotypes have been successfully transferred to soil.     

无花果曲霉原生质体形成与再生条件的探讨

根据正交试验得出无花果曲霉原生质体形成的最佳条件,用１％的混合酶液（０．５％纤维素酶＋０．２５％蜗牛酶＋０．２５％溶菌酶）作用无花果曲霉菌体细胞,原生质体产量达３．２×１０７个·ｍｌ－１,渗透压稳定剂为０．６ｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１ＫＣｌ于０．２ｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１ＰＯ３＋４（ｐＨ５．８）中,酶解时间和酶解温度分别为３．０ｈ、３０℃．比较不同酶解时间、再生稳定剂和碳源等因素对原生质体再生的影响,可确定最佳再生条件,再生率达３０％以上．     

Cytogenetics of protoplast cultures of Brachycome dichromosomatica and Crepis capillaris and regeneration of plants

Summary Callus derived protoplasts of Brachycome dichromosomatica (2n=2x=4) and Crepis capillaris (2n=2x=6) have been regenerated into karyologically normal plants, i.e. plants without visible alterations of the diploid chromosome set. However, metaphase analysis of protoplast cultures derived from both callus as well as mesophyll cells showed karyological changes in the overwhelming majority of cells in both species leading to multinucleated, polyploid and aneuploid cells. Furthermore, callus derived protoplasts sometimes exhibited changes at the chromosome level as indicated by translocations. The vast majority of aberrant karyotypes arose from failures during mitosis and cytokinesis, pointing to inadequate microtubules as a possible underlying cause. Karyological events of the kind described herein greatly affect the plating efficiency of isolated protoplasts and the viability of protoplast derived calli. Plant regeneration, although demonstrated in this study for the first time in both species, seems to be limited to rarely occurring, protoplast-derived colonies with a relatively stable genome. Our experiments, performed with chromosomal model species, emphasize the need for controlled, non-mutagenic culture conditions.     

Initiation of morphogenic cell-suspension and protoplast cultures of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Cell-suspension cultures were initiated from embryogenic calli of various barley cultivars. Seven fast-growing suspension lines were obtained from four different cultivars (cvs. Dissa, Emir, Golden Promise and Igri). Two of these cell suspensions showed morphogenic capacity. From a cell suspension of cv. Dissa, albino plantlets were regenerated when aggregates were cultured on solid medium. Aggregates of cv. Igri usually stopped differentiation at the globular stage, but occasionally formed scutellum-like structures. Five suspension lines were used for protoplast isolation and culture. Dividing protoplasts were obtained from all lines, but with cv. Igri a few divisions only and no further development were observed. Protoplasts from the various lines differed in the time of first division (2–14 d), division frequency (0.09–70.9%) and efficiency of colony formation (0.09–7.3%). Protoplasts isolated from the morphogenic cell suspension of cv. Dissa developed compact calli which sporadically regenerated albino plantlets.Abbreviations CC, MS, N6, SH, Kao8p culture media; see Material and methods - cv chltivar - dicamba 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - picloram 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid     

Structure and Development of Plastids in Epidermal Cells of African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.) in Culture

The structure of plastids in epidermal cells of African violet(Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.) ‘Marge Winters’ wasexamined using transmission electron microscopy before and afterplacement of leaf tissue in culture. The plastids from matureepidermal cells contained membrane-bound inclusion bodies andprolamellar bodies in various stages of development. Starchgrains and poorly developed granal stacks were observed in asmall number of plastids. After placement of the leaves on suitableculture medium, inclusion bodies decreased in size and the lamellarsystem became more organized. The plastids in the epidermaltissue are believed to be in an arrested state of developmentand are released from this state by placement on a medium inductiveto organogenesis. Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl., African violet, membrane-bound inclusion, tissue culture, plastid development     

Genetic recombination by protoplast fusion inNocardia asteroides

Summary Fusion and regeneration of protoplasts ofNocardia asteroides strains ATCC 3318, IMRU W3599 and HIK B971 have been used to study genetic recombination in this species. Protoplasts were produced by treatment with lysozyme, following incubation with glycine. Mutants of ATCC 3318 were grown in peptone yeast extract medium at 32°C prior to protoplast production to maximize protoplast frequency, whereas mutants of IMRU W3599 and HIK B971 were grown in trypticase-soy broth. Glycine concentrations favoring protoplast formation varied from 1.5% to 5% depending on strain. For all strains, protoplast formation was complete 1 h after addition of 5 mg/ml lysozyme. Protoplasts were fused by addition of 50% polyethylene glycol-1000. In general, 25% of the protoplasts could be regenerated. The incidence of recombinant recovery was increased up to 750-fold. The distribution of recombinant phenotypes in matings was similar for protoplast fusion and conventional crosses.     

Isolation and regeneration of protoplasts from the ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum Fr.

Protoplasts of the ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum were isolated from mycelium grown in liquid medium. The method was optimized with regard to culture conditions, preincubation, lytic enzyme system, pH value of the incubation medium, osmotic buffer and incubation temperature for C. geophilum strains SIV and 1448. The yields were 1-3·10⁸ and 7·10⁶ protoplasts per gram fresh weight for C. geophilum SIV and C. geophilum 1448, respectively. Protoplasts from C. geophilum SIV exhibited plasma membrane integrity close to 100% (fluorescein diacetate staining). At least 50% of the protoplasts contained a nucleus (staining with acridine orange). The regeneration of protoplasts from C. geophilum is described for the first time. The regeneration frequency was up to 13%, and, dependent on the conditions of culture (liquid medium, agarose, agar), four types of regeneration patterns could be distinguished Regenerated protoplasts of C. geophilum were capable of forming mycorrhizas with spruce (Picea abies) seedlings.     

Genotypic effects on pollen morphology in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Summary The morphology (shape, exine wall pattern, diameter, volume, surface area) of mature pollen grains from eight genotypes, four within each of two capsule types (dehiscent, indehiscent) was studied. The shape was a flattened sphere (oblate) with a P (polar axis diameter): E (equatorial axis diameter) ratio = 0.69. The exine wall pattern consisted of a series of furrows passing through the poles and intersecting the equatorial plane at right (90°) angles. In cross section, the furrows appeared to be associated with shallow U-shaped structures with the intine protruding between these structures. Over the eight genotypes, the diameter, volume, and surface area were 65 m, 147300 m³, and 13444 m², respectively. For all three related characters, highly significant differences between capsule type and genotypes within capsule type were obtained. For each character, the dehiscent capsule type mean was larger than the indehiscent capsule type mean with minimum overlap among the four genotype means within each capsule type. Possibly, the numerous and diverse pleiotropic effects associated with this simply-inherited recessive indehiscent capsule type character includes pollen dimensions.     

Plant regeneration from callus and protoplast cultures of Helianthus giganteus L.

Summary Methods of plant regeneration from callus and protoplasts of Helianthus giganteus L. are described. Embryogenic callus was obtained from leaf explants and plants were regenerated from these calli on MS media with different combinations of benzyladenine and naphtaleneacetic acid. Leaf protoplasts isolated from in vitro grown plants formed somatic embryos when cultured in agarose solidified droplets of V-KM medium containing benzyladenine and naphtaleneacetic acid. Embryos developed into plantlets on media with reduced auxin contents. Regenerated plants were successfully planted in soil.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - IAA indoleacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA naphtaleneacetic acid - V-KM protoplast culture medium of Binding and Nehls     

Dark requirement for cell regeneration and colony formation by mesophyll protoplasts ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.

Summary The protoplasts ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia required darkness for cell regeneration and colony formation. Maximal plating efficiency of the protoplasts could be achieved by keeping the cultures in dark instead of light or dark/light sequence. Only two days of darkness prior to the illumination at 400 or 3,000 lux resulted in appreciable plating efficiency, than those of light from the beginning, but these values could not match the high plating efficiency in total darkness.     

Scanning electron microscopy of shoot differentiationin vitro from leaf explants of the African violet

The shoot differentiation process from leaf explants ofSaintpaulia ionantha Wendl. Gypsy Trail culturedin vitro was investigated via scanning electron microscopy. From 16 combinations of -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA), the optimum concentration for direct shoot formation without callus formation for the cultivar tested was estimated as 0.5 M NAA and 0.5M BA. The first cell divisions were observed after 5 days, in culture and were restricted to cells adjacent to the basal cells of glandular hairs. Meristematic domes were formed after 15 days and were investigated at 20 days. The origin of shoot formation was restricted to epidermal cells adjacent to basal cells of glandular hairs.     

Photosynthetic and biochemical characterization of in vitro-derived African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl) plants to ex vitro conditions

African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl) is one of the most easily and commonly tissue-cultured ornamental plants. Despite this, there are limited reports on photosynthetic capacity and its impact on the plant quality during acclimatization. Various growth, photosynthetic and biochemical parameters and activities of antioxidant enzymes and dehydrins of micropropagated plants were assessed under three light intensities (35, 70, and 100 µmol m^?2 s^?1 photosynthetic photon flux density – PPFD). Fresh and dry plant biomass, plant height, and leaf area were optimal with high irradiance (70–100 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD). Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and net photosynthesis were optimal in plants grown under 70 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD. Stomatal resistance, malondialdehyde content, and F_v/F_m values were highest at low light irradiance (35 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD). The activities of three antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, increased as light irradiance increased, signaling that high light irradiance was an abiotic stress. The accumulation of 55, 33, and 25 kDa dehydrins was observed with all light treatments although the expression levels were highest at 35 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD. Irradiance at 70 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD was suitable for the acclimatization of African violet plants. Both low and high irradiance levels (35 and 100 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD) induced the accumulation of antioxidants and dehydrins in plants which reveals enhanced stress levels and measures to counter it.     

Isolation and culture of protoplasts ofCapsicum annuum L. and their regeneration into plants floweringin vitro

Summary Axenic shoot cultures ofCapsicum annuum cv.California Wonder were used as the source for isolation of protoplasts from mesophyll cells. Protoplasts underwent sustained mitotic activity and proliferated to form callus masses on NT or DPD medium enriched with 2,4-D, NAA and BAP each at 1 mg/l level. The callus could be differentiated into whole plants on the differentiation media and plants floweredin vitro under long day conditions.     

Plant regeneration from indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) protoplasts

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants of the indica cultivar IR54 were regenerated from protoplasts. Conditions were developed for isolating and purifying protoplasts from suspension cultures with protoplast yields ranging from 1·10⁶ to 15·10⁶ viable protoplasts/1 g fresh weight. Protoplast viability after purification was generally over 90%. Protoplasts were cultured in a slightly modified Kao medium in a Petri plate by placing them onto a Millipore filter positioned on top of a feeder (nurse) culture containing cells from a suspension culture of the japonica rice, Calrose 76. Plating efficiencies of protoplasts ranged from 0.5 to 3.0%; it was zero in the absence of the nurse culture. Protoplast preparations usually contained no contaminating cells, and when present, the number of cells never exceeded 0.1% of the protoplasts. After three weeks the Millipore filter with callus colonies were transferred off feeder cells and onto a Linsmaier and Skoog-type medium for an additional three weeks. Selected callus colonies that had embryo-like structures were then transferred to regeneration medium containing cytokinins, and regeneration frequencies up to 80% were obtained. Small shoots emerged and were transferred to jars for root development prior to transferring to pots of soil and growing the plants to maturity in growth chambers. Of the cytokinins evaluated, N⁶-benzylaminopurine was the most effective in promoting shoot formation; however, kinetin was also somewhat effective. Regeneration medium could be either an N₆ or Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Of 76 plants grown to maturity, 62 were fertile, and the plant heights averaged about three-fourths the height of seed-grown plants.Two other suspension cultures of IR54, one developed from the protoplast callus of the initial IR54 line, and the other developed from callus produced by mature seeds, have yielded protoplasts capable of regenerating plants when using cells of the Calrose 76 suspension as a nurse culture. In addition, protoplasts obtained from three-week-old primary callus of immature embryos of IR54 were capable of regenerating plants when using the same culture conditions.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - pcy packed cell volume - BAP N⁶-benzylaminopurine - FDA fluorescein diacetate - FW fresh weight - IAA indole-3-acetic acid Media AA Muller and Grafe (1978) - CPW Frearson et al. (1973) - Kao^* Kao (1977) - LS Linsmaier and Skoog (1965) - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - N₆ Chu et al. (1975) - PCM Ludwig et al. (1985)