Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in semul (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombax ceiba</Emphasis>)

Somatic embryogenesis in semul, Bombax ceiba L. (Bombacaceae) was achieved from immature zygotic embryo explants on MS medium. The cytokinin BA induced somatic embryogenesis at higher frequencies than the auxin 2,4-d. The rate of somatic embryogenesis was inversely related to the concentration of BA. A constant supply of 0.44 M BA was necessary for a high multiplication rate. Conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets is reported.     

Plant regeneration of common ash (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus excelsior</Emphasis> L.) by somatic embryogenesis

This is the first report on somatic embryogenesis in common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Experiments on somatic embryogenesis induction were carried out on zygotic embryos at different phases of development and maturation. The embryo axes were isolated and cultured on media containing different plant growth regulators (PGRs). Embryogenic tissues were obtained from embryos collected at an incomplete maturation phase and cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 8.8 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4.4 μM benzyl-adenine (BA). Embryos isolated from seeds at an advanced stage of maturation showed only organogenetic phenomena. Embryogenic tissues were successfully subcultured and multiplied on medium containing a reduced concentration of PGRs. After their isolation, somatic embryos were induced to develop and mature by transfer to PGR-free medium and subsequent culture on medium containing 0.1 μM BA. Somatic embryos developed completely and also germinated spontaneously. Embryo germination and conversion were significantly improved when subjected to a period of storage at 4°C and transplant onto woody plant medium. Plantlets were successfully transferred to soil and acclimatized in a “misted” greenhouse.     

Somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schisandra chinensis</Emphasis> (Turcz.) Baill.

Summary Regeneration of plants via somatic embryogenesis was achieved from zygotic embryo explants isolated from mature seeds of Schisandra chinensis. Merkle and Sommer's medium, fortified with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 9.04 μM) and zeatin (0.09 μM), was effective for induction of embryogenic callus. The development of a proembryogenic mass and somatic embryos occurred on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) free of plant growth regulators. The embryogenic callus induced on Merkle and Sommer's medium supplemented with 2,4-D (9.04 μM) and zeatin (0.09 μM) showed development of the maximum number of somatic embryos when transferred to MS medium free of plant growth regulators. The maximum maturation and germination of cotyledonary somatic embryos (46.3%) occurred on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.45 μM) and N⁶-benzyladenine (1.11 μM). The somatic embryo-derived plants were successfully hardned, with a survival rate of approximately 67%, and established in the field.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Six pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars (Adept, Komet, Lantra, Olivin, Oskar, Tyrkys) were transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 with pBIN19 plasmid carrying reporter uidA (β-glucuronidase, GUS, containing potato ST-LS1 intron) gene under the CaMV 35S promoter, and selectable marker gene nptII (neomycin phosphotransferase II) under the nos promoter. Two regeneration systems were used: continual shoot proliferation from axillary buds of cotyledonary node in vitro, and in vivo plant regeneration from imbibed germinating seed with removed testa and one cotyledon. The penetration of Agrobacterium into explants during co-cultivation was supported by sonication or vacuum infiltration treatment. The selection of putative transformants in both regeneration systems carried out on media with 100 mg dm⁻³ kanamycin. The presence of introduced genes was verified histochemically (GUS assay) and by means of PCR and Southern blot analysis in T₀ putative transformants and their seed progenies (T₁ to T₃ generations). Both methods, but largely in vivo approach showed to be genotype independent, resulting in efficient and reliable transformation system for pea. The in vivo approach has in addition also benefit of time and money saving, since transgenic plants are obtained in much shorter time. All tested T₀ – T₃ plants were morphologically normal and fertile.This research was supported by the National Agency for Agricultural Research (grants No. QE 0046 and QF 3072) and Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic (grant No. ME 433).     

Somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Buchanania lanzan</Emphasis> spreng

Summary We report a protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration of Buchanania lanzan Spreng (Family—Anacardiaceae), which is a tropical fruit tree widely distributed in the dry forests of India. Calluses were initiated from immature zygotic embryos cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzyladenine (BA) and/or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest frequency (60%) of somatic embryo induction was obtained in cultures grown on MS medium fortified with 4.53 μM 2,4-D, 5.32 μM NAA and 4.48 μM BA. The medium supplemented with 15 μM abscisic acid (ABA) was most effective for maturation and germination of somatic embryos. This is the first report on somatic embryogenesis in B. lanzan, which may be helpful for in vitro propagation, ex situ conservation and genetic manipulation of this species.     

Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis in anther cultures of Chinese pink <Emphasis Type="Italic">(Dianthus chinensis</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">.)</Emphasis>

In this study, we aimed to maximize the rates of somatic embryogenesis achievable in anther cultures of Chinese pink (Dianthus chinensis L.) (2n = 2x = 30). The genotype of the donor plant was found to be a major factor in determining the success rate. Conditions imposed during anther culture (notably medium composition and light conditions) and pretreatments (namely, cold, heat, and mannitol incubations) were also found to influence somatic embryo induction. For example, the highest levels of embryogenic callus induction were achieved when the donor buds had been cold pretreated and the subsequent anther culture was maintained in darkness. Furthermore, there appeared to be an interaction of genotype with culture conditions. Thus, in cultures of the cultivar (cv.) ‘Carpet’, the highest rates of embryogenesis were obtained when the anthers had received a 5-d heat-shock, but such a thermal treatment did not generally produce a significant effect. Likewise, a 3-d mannitol pretreatment was optimal only for the cross-hybrid line ‘HC’. Assessment of the ploidy of the plants regenerated from the anther cultures revealed both diploid and tetraploid plants. Histological and cytological observations showed that all of these (both from n-pollen and 2n-pollen lines) derived from anther wall cells. Spontaneous chromosome doubling was inferred to have occurred during the embryogenic callus culture period.     

Leafy cotyledon genes are essential for induction of somatic embryogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis>

The capacity for somatic embryogenesis was studied in lec1, lec2 and fus3 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. It was found that contrary to the response of wild-type cultures, which produced somatic embryos via an efficient, direct process (65–94% of responding explants), lec mutants were strongly impaired in their embryogenic response. Cultures of the mutants formed somatic embryos at a low frequency, ranging from 0.0 to 3.9%. Moreover, somatic embryos were formed from callus tissue through an indirect route in the lec mutants. Total repression of embryogenic potential was observed in double (lec1 lec2, lec1 fus3, lec2 fus3) and triple (fus3 lec1 lec2) mutants. Additionally, mutants were found to exhibit efficient shoot regenerability via organogenesis from root explants. These results provide evidence that, besides their key role in controlling many different aspects of Arabidopsis zygotic embryogenesis, LEC/FUS genes are also essential for in vitro somatic embryogenesis induction. Furthermore, temporal and spatial patterns of auxin distribution during somatic embryogenesis induction were analyzed using transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing GUS driven by the DR5 promoter. Analysis of data indicated auxin accumulation was rapid in all tissues of the explants of both wild type and the lec2-1 mutant, cultured on somatic embryogenesis induction medium containing 2,4-D. This observation suggests that loss of embryogenic potential in the lec2 mutant in vitro is not related to the distribution of exogenously applied auxin and LEC genes likely function downstream in auxin-induced somatic embryogenesis.     

Comparative analysis of the differential regeneration response of various genotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum durum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum dicoccum</Emphasis>

An efficient genotype independent, in vitro regeneration system was developed for nine popular Indian wheat cultivars, three each of Triticum aestivum L. viz., CPAN1676, HD2329 and PBW343, Triticum durum Desf. viz., PDW215, PDW233 and WH896, and Triticum dicoccum Schrank. Schubl. viz., DDK1001, DDK1025 and DDK1029, by manipulating the concentration and time of exposure to the growth regulator, thidiazuron (TDZ). A total of 18 (for immature inflorescence and embryo explant) and six (for mature embryo explant) different combinations of growth regulators were tried for callusing and regeneration, respectively. Media combination with low concentration of TDZ (2.2 μM) in combination to auxin and/or cytokinin (depending upon culture stage), was found to be effective for immature and mature explants. Compact, nodular and highly embryogenic calli were obtained by using immature embryo, immature inflorescence and mature embryo explants, and regeneration frequency up to 25 shoots/explant with an overall 80% regeneration was achieved. Comparable regeneration frequency was achieved for mature embryo explants. No separate hormone combination for rooting was required and plantlets ready to transfer to soil could be obtained in a short period of 8–10 weeks. This protocol can be used for raising transgenic plants for functional genomics analysis of agronomically important traits in the three species of wheat.     

Effect of polyamines on in vitro somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">charantia</Emphasis> L.

The effects of exogenous polyamines (PAs) on enhancement of somatic embryogenic calli was investigated in Momordica charantia L. in vitro. Induction of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in leaf explants of M. charantia after 21 days of culture in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was determined using scanning electron microscopy. During induction of SE there were high titers of Putrescine (Put) as compared to Spermidine (Spd) and Spermine (Spm), a prerequisite for cell division. Addition of PAs to the embryogenic media resulted in an increase in fresh weights and number of somatic embryos of 21-day old embryogenic calli. Put at a concentration of 1 mM showed maximum increase in fresh weights of embryogenic calli (5 fold) and number of somatic embryos produced per 0.2 g of callus (2.5 fold). Moreover addition of PAs to the embryogenic media resulted in lowering of endogenous free PA level of 21-day old embryogenic calli. Thus, when the media was supplemented with exogenous PAs a positive correlation was found to exist between Somatic Embryogenesis enhancement and decrease in endogenous free PA levels.     

Direct somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed production from<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Paulownia elongata</Emphasis>

We have developed a reproducible system for efficient direct somatic embryogenesis from leaf and internodal explants of Paulownia elongata. The somatic embryos obtained were subsequently encapsulated as single embryos to produce synthetic seeds. Several plant growth regulators [6-benzylaminopurine, indole-3-acetic acid, -naphthaleneacetic acid, kinetin and thidiazuron (TDZ)] alone or in combination were tested for their capacity to induce somatic embryogenesis. The highest induction frequencies of somatic embryos were obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 0.6% Phytagel, 500 mg l^-1 casein hydrolysate and 10 mg l^-1 TDZ (medium MS10). Somatic embryos were induced from leaf (69.8%) and internode (58.5%) explants on MS10 medium after 7 days. Subsequent withdrawal of TDZ from the induction medium resulted in the maturation and growth of the embryos into plantlets on MS basal media. The maturation frequency of somatic embryos from leaf and internodal explants was 50.8% and 45.8%, respectively. Subculturing of mature embryos led to their germination on the same medium with a germination frequency of 50.1% and 29.8% from leaf and internode explants, respectively. Somatic embryos obtained directly on leaf explants were used for encapsulation in liquid MS medium containing different concentrations of sodium alginate with a 30-min exposure to 50 mM CaCl₂. A 3% sodium alginate concentration provided a uniform encapsulation of the embryos with survival and germination frequencies of 73.7% and 53.3%, respectively. Storage at 4°C for 30 days or 60 days significantly reduced the survival and complete germination frequencies of both encapsulated and non-encapsulated embryos relative to those of non-stored somatic embryos. However, the survival and germination rates of encapsulated embryos increased following storage at 4°C. After 30 days or 60 days of storage, the survival rates of encapsulated embryos were 67.8% and 53.5% and the germination frequencies were 43.2% and 32.4%, respectively. These systems could be useful for the rapid clonal propagation and dissemination of synthetic seed material of Paulownia elongata.Abbreviations BAP 6-Benzylaminopurine - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - NAA -Naphthaleneacetic acid - TDZ ThidiazuronCommunicated by H. Lörz     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalopanax pictus</Emphasis> tree via somatic embryogenesis

Summary Kalopanax pictus (Thunb.) Nakai is a tall tree, and its wood has been used in making furniture, while its stem bark is used for medicinal purposes. Here, we report on the micropropagation of Kalopanax pictus via somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus was induced from immature zygotic embryos. The frequency embryogenic callus induction is influenced by days of seed harvest. Callus formation was primarily observed along the radicle tips of zygotic embryos incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 4.4 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacctic acid (2,4-D). Somatic embryogenesis was observed following transfer of embryogenic callus to MS medium lacking 2,4-D. Somatic embryos at the cotyledonary stage were obtained after 6 wk following culture. Frequency of conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets was low (35%) on a hormone-free MS basal medium, but it increased to 61% when the medium was supplemented with 0.05% charcoal. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment markedly enhanced the germination frequency of embryos up to 83%. All plantlets obtained showed 98% survival on moist peat soil (TKS2) artificial soil matrix. About 30 000 Kalopanax pictus plants were propagated via somatic embryogenesis and grown to 3-yr-old plants. These results indicate that production of woody medicinal Kalopanax pictus plantlets through somatic embryogenesis can be practically applicable for propagation.     

The role of BAP in somatic embryogenesis induction from seed explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis</Emphasis> species from Sections <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erectoides</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Procumbentes</Emphasis>

Somatic embryogenesis was induced from seed explants of Arachis archeri, A. porphyrocalix (Section Erectoides) and A. appressipila (Section Procumbentes) in response to 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Embryo axes first developed into single shoots in response to 4.4 μM BAP. Friable embryogenic calluses were produced from the hypocotyl region of these explants in response to different BAP concentrations. Embryonic leaflets also gave rise to friable calluses, but somatic embryos were only observed in explants of A. archeri and A. appressipila. Histological analyses revealed the presence of heart-shaped, torpedo and cotyledonary stages embryos, both as isolated and fused structures. A low frequency of embryo-to-plant conversion was achieved by inducing shoot development on medium solidified with 0.5% phytagel and supplemented with 1.5% or 3% sucrose. Rooting was induced on MS supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).     

Rapid regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus angustissimus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. vulgaris</Emphasis> from very young zygotic embryos

A rapid regeneration protocol for proembryos of Phaseolus angustissimus as young as 1 day after pollination (DAP) involving pod culture for 1 week followed by embryo culture for 2 weeks and embryo germination for 1 or 2 weeks is provided. Optimization of the media was conducted with pods collected 3 DAP. The best pod culture medium was composed of basal medium [(Phillips and Collins 1979) salts with (Geerts et al. 2001) vitamins], 1000 mg l⁻¹ glutamine, 1000 mg l⁻¹ casein hydrolysate, 3% sucrose and 0.5% agar. Embryo culture medium consisted of basal medium with 500 mg l⁻¹ glutamine, 250 mg l⁻¹ casein hydrolysate, 1.9 μM ABA, 3% sucrose and 0.5% bacto-agar. Embryos developed into plantlets on germination medium containing basal medium with 0.25 μM BA, 3% sucrose and 0.7% bacto-agar. Fertile, normal plants were recovered from direct embryogenesis and from micrografted embryo-derived shoots. Embryos obtained from pods collected 3 DAP regenerated plantlets at a rate of 29.3%, while embryos from pods collected 2 DAP and 1 DAP regenerated at rates of 20.2 and 4%, respectively. A second accession of P. angustissimusregenerated at a rate of 26.2%. Using this 5-week protocol for P. vulgaris resulted in a plantlet regeneration rate of 12.5%.     

Plant regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis>

A protocol for induction of direct somatic embryogenesis, secondary embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Dendrobium cv. Chiengmai Pink was developed. Thidiazuron (TDZ) at 0.3, 1 and 3 mg dm⁻³ induced 5–25 % of leaf tip segments of in vitro grown plants to directly form embryos after 60 d of culture, and 1 mg dm⁻³ TDZ was the best treatment. Somatic embryos mostly formed from leaf surfaces near cut ends, and occasionally found on leaf tips. Higher frequency of embryogenesis was obtained in light than in darkness. During subculture, secondary embryos developed from outer cell layers of primary embryos. All combinations of NAA (0, 0.1, 1 mg dm⁻³) and TDZ (0, 0.3, 1, 3 mg dm⁻³) increased the multiplication rate of embryos. It takes about 8 months from embryo induction, plantlet formation to eventually acclimatization in greenhouse.     

Regulation of stipule development by <Emphasis Type="Italic">COCHLEATA</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">STIPULE</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">REDUCED</Emphasis> genes in pea <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis>

Pisum sativum L., the garden pea crop plant, is serving as the unique model for genetic analyses of morphogenetic development of stipule, the lateral organ formed on either side of the junction of leafblade petiole and stem at nodes. The stipule reduced (st) and cochleata (coch) stipule mutations and afila (af), tendril-less (tl), multifoliate-pinna (mfp) and unifoliata-tendrilled acacia (uni-tac) leafblade mutations were variously combined and the recombinant genotypes were quantitatively phenotyped for stipule morphology at both vegetative and reproductive nodes. The observations suggest a role of master regulator to COCH in stipule development. COCH is essential for initiation, growth and development of stipule, represses the UNI-TAC, AF, TL and MFP led leafblade-like morphogenetic pathway for compound stipule and together with ST mediates the developmental pathway for peltate-shaped simple wild-type stipule. It is also shown that stipule is an autonomous lateral organ, like a leafblade and secondary inflorescence.     

A novel mutant with modified tropic responses in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.

A single-gene recessive mutant which displays increased phototropic and gravitropic responses has been isolated in Pisum sativum L. cv. Torsdag and is provisionally named mtr-1, for its modified tropic response. Mutant plants attain a greater degree of bending during both phototropic and gravitropic induction due to an extension of the curvature phase. In addition to their increase in tropic curvature, mutant plants have longer and narrower leaves as mature plants, attenuated blue-light-induced ion flux responses, and lower levels of PsPK5 mRNA (a PHOT1 orthologue). Possible causes of these effects are discussed.     

Proteomic analysis of somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis>

Two dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry has been used to study the somatic embryogenesis in Vitis vinifera, by comparing embryogenic and non embryogenic calluses of the Thompson seedless cv. More than 1,000 spots were reproducibly resolved in colloidal Coomassie brilliant blue stained gels over a pI nonlinear range of 3–10 in the first dimension and using homogeneous 12.5% polyacrylamide gels in the second dimension. The expression pattern of 35 spots differed significantly between the two samples. These spots were processed by mass spectrometry analysis and the protein identity was assigned by using both the non-redundant protein and EST databases. Several responsive proteins, some already known to be involved in the somatic embryogenesis process while others, for the first time put into relation with this process, have been described. Moreover, they have been subdivided in functional categories, and their putative role is discussed in terms of their relevance in the somatic embryogenesis process.     

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in cultured cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium quinoa</Emphasis>

A major limiting factor for quinoa cultivation as a grain crop on a large scale are virus diseases, in particularly seed borne diseases. Therefore, a somatic embryogenesis protocol is a necessary tool to produce virus free plants. Somatic embryogenesis offers the possibility of mass production of transgenic plants and therefore can be used easily to study the effect on plants resulting from breeding processes. An in vitro protocol has been developed for somatic embryogensis from calluses and cell cultures of Chenopodium quinoa. Callus was induced from hypocotyl explants within 2 weeks of culture on a modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.45 M 2,4-D. Calluses were cultured on solid or liquid MS medium and later the development of somatic embryos was observed on both employing the same MS medium without 2,4-D. To our knowledge this is the first report of somatic embryogenesis in Chenopodium quinoa.     

Polyamine and nitric oxide levels relate with morphogenetic evolution in somatic embryogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocotea catharinensis</Emphasis>

In this study we examined the effect of polyamines (PAs) putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) on growth, morphology evolution, endogenous PAs levels and nitric oxide (NO) release in Ocotea catharinensis somatic embryo cultures. We observed that Spd and Spm reduced culture growth, permitted embryo morphogenetic evolution from the earliest to last embryo development stages, increased endogenous PAs levels, and induced NO release in O. catharinensis somatic embryos. On the other hand, Put had little effect on these parameters. Spd and Spm could successfully be used to promote somatic embryo maturation in O. catharinensis. The results suggest that Spd and Spm have an important role during the growth, development and morphogenetic evolution of somatic embryos, through alterations in the endogenous nitric oxide and PAs metabolism in this species.