Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell suspensions of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

We describe the early formation of somatic embryos followed by plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from an embryogenic wheat cell suspension, which was initiated from small granular (0.2 to 1 mm in size) embryogenic calli. These granular calli formed embryogenic cell suspensions within 20 days in liquid culture, and were selected gradually from young inflorescence-derived nodular embryogenic calli of the winter wheat cv. Kehong 1041. The division frequency of protoplasts was 11 to 16%, and the frequency of differentiation into plants was about 0.001% (number of plants formed divided by the total number of protoplasts plated). About 20% of somatic embryos present in the culture formed directly from protoplast-derived cells within 15 days of cultures.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from isolated protoplasts of Lavatera thuringiaca

Embryogenic cell suspensions of Lavatera thuringiaca L. were established from leaf petiole and shoot regeneration was achieved when cells were plated on medium without growth regulators. We tested three methods for protoplast culture, isolated from a one-year old embryogenic cell suspension, to determine the best conditions for L. thuringiaca protoplast culture and shoot regeneration. The highest protoplast plating efficiency was obtained with the agaroseembedded method, reaching 30%, while the nursing culture method gave 5% when the protoplasts were plated over Whatman paper No. 2. However, the same nursing culture failed to produce protoplast-derived microcalluses when the protoplasts were plated on a nitrocellulose filter. The liquid thin layer method gave the lowest plating efficiency with only 0.5%. Shoot regeneration from protoplast-derived microcalluses was achieved in two steps; first, globular embryo development was favored in medium low in auxin (2,4-d and BA at 0.01 and 0.05 mg 1^-1, respectively), second, the globular embryos further differentiate into shoots in medium without growth regulators or in medium containing GA₃ (0.5 to 1.0 mg 1^-1).Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA benzyladenine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

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

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

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cell suspensions of Exacum affine

Somatic embryos were produced in seven cultivars of Exacum affine Balf. using flower buds and peduncles as explants. Flowering plants were produced from five of the cultivars, and no visible mutations were detected. The best medium for callus induction and growth was MS supplemented with 9.0 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and either zero or 0.089 M BA. Callus suspensions were made by passing the callus through a 100 m sieve. The best embryo regeneration was achieved on growth regulator-free medium. Callus and embryos could be grown in liquid medium.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA 6-benzyladenine - SD standard deviation     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration through cell suspensions inMusa acuminata

Summary Cell suspensions ofMusa acuminata sspburmannicoides andMusa acuminata sspmalaccensis were obtained by culturing embryogenic callus initiated from immature zygotic embryos in liquid medium. Plant regeneration was then achieved through somatic embryogenesis. Germination of these embryos occurred in a modified MS medium containing auxin and cytokinin. Plant recovery frequencies were 20 to 36%. This method may allow a better utilization of biotechnologies in genetic improvement of theMusa diploid species, essential for banana and plantain breeding.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from protoplasts of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Protoplasts were isolated from embryogenic calli of Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Mary Washington and cultured in 1/2 MS medium with 1 mg/l NAA, 0.5 mg/l zeatin, 1 g/l L-glutamine, 0.6 M glucose and 0.1% Gellan Gum. Protoplasts started to divide after 3–4 d of culture and formed visible colonies after 30 d of culture. The percentage of colony formation (plating efficiency) was 7.2%. The colonies were then transferred onto Gellan Gum-solidified MS medium containing 1 mg/l 2,4-D and 3% sucrose for further growth. Somatic embryos were induced from all colonies of 0.5–1.0 mm size after transferring to 1/2 MS medium lacking growth regulators. After treating these somatic embryos (1–3 mm) in distilled water for a week, 30–40% of them germinated normally and grew into plantlets 20–30 d after transplanting on 1/2 MS medium containing 1 mg/l IBA, 1 mg/l GA₃ and 1% sucrose. These protoplast-derived plants were diploid with 20 chromosomes.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962)     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from embryogenic callus of soybean,Glycine max L.

During induction of somatic embryogenesis from immature embryos of soybean, a smooth-shiny and a rough callus were obtained. The smooth-shiny type developed from callus derived from cotyledonary tissue and cultured on media containing 10 mg/l 2,4-D. The rough type was derived from immature embryos, cotyledons, hypocotyls and hypocotyl segments from germinated seedlings on a medium containing various growth regulators. Plants were obtained from the smooth-shiny type but rough callus did not differentiate into plants. The conditions for formation of both callus types and regeneration of mature soybean plants from the smooth-shiny type were defined.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indoleacetic acid - IBA indolebutyric acid - ABA abscicic acid - GA3 gibberellic acid - BA benzyladenine - B5 Gamborg et al. - LS Linsmaier & Skoog - MS Murashige & Skoog - P proline     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from hypocotyl protoplasts of sunflower (Helianthus annum L.)

A sunflower genotype (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Florom-328) able to regenerate plants from in vitro cultures was identified by screening hybrids and inbred lines. Protoplasts of this genotype were isolated from dark grown hypocotyls and were cultured in droplets of agarose-solidified V-KM medium covered by liquid V-KM supplemented with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and benzylaminopurine (BAP). One week later colonies were subjected to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyaceticacid for a one week period. Further culture in V-KM with reduced concentrations of NAA and BAP resulted in the appearence of somatic embryos. Maturation of embryos was achieved by culture on MS medium supplemented with NAA, BAP, gibberellic acid A₃ and the ethylene inhibitor AgNO₃. Embryos were then transferred onto hormone free MS medium for germination. The frequency of shoot formation in the best case was 9.6 percent of viable colonies (1.3 percent of protoplasts plated). Some of the shoots with roots could be transplanted into soil, others were grafted on hypocotyls of in vivo germinated seedlings. Eighty percent of grafted shoots and over 95 percent of rooted shoots survived. The plants flowered and produced 5 to 10 seeds each. Factors affecting the frequency of embryo formation and plant regeneration are discussed.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - GA3 gibberellic acid - MES morpholinoethanesulfonic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - V-KM protoplast culture medium of Binding and Nehls - 2,4D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

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.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from friable embryogenic callus of cassava

Protoplasts were isolated from friable embryogenic callus (FEC) and from suspensions derived from FEC of cassava genotype TMS60444. Suspensions yielded the highest number of protoplasts (1.5×10⁶ protoplasts/g fresh weight). Protoplasts plated at a density of 10⁵–10⁶/ml in a medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 1 mg/l zeatin began dividing after 3 days, and after 30 days this resulted in an absolute plating efficiency as high as 2.5%. After 2 months of culture, 60% of the developed calli were highly friable and in appearance identical to the original FEC. The protoplast derived FEC was first purified through two rounds of selection of 3 weeks each before beeing cultured for regeneration of plants. This was done by culturing the protoplast-derived FEC for 11 weeks on maturation medium, yielding a maximum of 184 organized embryos per 10.000 initially cultured protoplasts. Most of the organized embryos were torpedo shaped and matured after they had been isolated from the calli and transferred to fresh medium. Mature embryos were multiplied by secondary somatic embryogenesis at high efficiency (>90%) on a medium supplemented with 8 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. About 30% of the mature secondary somatic embryos developed into shoots after transfer to a medium supplemented with 1 mg/l N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Shoots rooted readily on a medium without BAP. Received: 30 August 1996 / Revision received: 9 June 1997 / Accepted: 1 October 1997     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration inMedicago suffruticosa

A successful procedure has been designed for the regeneration of plantlets from leaf sections of the self-pollinating species,Medicago suffruticosa. Callus growth was promoted by a 4-week culture period on liquid Kao's medium containing 4.9 M benzyladenine and 4.5 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d), followed by a 4-day treatment in which the benzyladenine was elevated to 44.4 M. Shoots/plantlets were observed after 3–4 weeks culture on growth regulator-free agar-solidified medium. Under these conditions, the regeneration frequency from callus was 18% and a histological study showed that this regeneration was through somatic embryogenesis. The growth regulator treatment, with a relatively high concentration of growth regulators (44.4 M benzyladenine) for a short time period (4 days), is important for inhibiting polyphenol compounds and for stimulating callus growth and plant regeneration.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichiorophenoxyacetic acid - BA benzyladenine - NAA -napthaleneacetic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from protoplasts of Cichorium intybus L. x Cichorium endivia L.

Somatic embryos and adult plants were regenerated from mesophyll protoplasts of a clone of chicory 474 (Cichorium intybus L. x Cichorium endivia L.). Embryos were obtained in three different ways:

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) from leaves of mature phase trees

Embryogenic cultures were induced from leaflets from new vegetative flushes of mature ‘Brewster’ litchi trees on B5 medium containing 400 mg l⁻¹ glutamine, 200 mg l⁻¹ casein hydrolysate, 30 g l⁻¹ sucrose, 4.52 μM 2,4-D, 9.30 μM kinetin and 3 g l⁻¹ gellan gum in darkness. Embryogenic cultures consisting of proembryonic cells and masses were maintained either on semi-solid MS medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-D and 0.91 μM zeatin or as embryogenic suspension cultures in liquid medium of the same composition. Maturation of somatic embryos occurred on semi-solid MS medium with 5–20% (v/v) filter-sterilized coconut water in darkness. Recovery of plants from somatic embryos was improved with 14.4 μM GA₃ on half-strength MS medium with 0.2 g l⁻¹ activated charcoal under a 16 h photoperiod provided by cool white fluorescent lights (60–80 μmol s⁻¹ m⁻²). Plants have been successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature cotyledons of watermelon

Cotyledon expiants from immature embryos of five watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.)Matsum. & Nakai] genotypes were incubated in the dark for three weeks on a modified MS medium containing B5 vitamins, 2,4-D (10, 20 or 40M), 0.5 M of either BA or TDZ, and 7 g·1^-1 TC agar. Somatic embryos, some with well developed cotyledons, were observed on cotyledon expiants three to four weeks after transfer to MS medium without PGRs and 16h photoperiod. The best PGR combination for somatic embryogenesis was 10 M 2,4-D and 0.5 M TDZ Somatic embryogenesis was greatest (30%) when cotyledon expiants were established from 18-day-old immature embryos. Somatic embryos were germinated on MS medium without PGRs. Plants were transferred to Magenta boxes containing ProMix for three weeks before being transplanted to the field where they formed fertile male and female flowers that produced normal fruit.Abbreviations PGR plant growth regulator - BA benzyladenine - TDZ thidiazuron - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyaceticacid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4,5-T 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf tissue of jojoba

A protocol was developed for the induction, maturation and germination of somatic embryos from leaf tissue of jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider]. Explants were placed on their adaxial sides in Petri dishes and maintained in darkness on half-strength Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS/2). Combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1.35–4.52 μM) with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.33–4.43μM) and 2 synthetic cytokinins, N-(2-chloro-4pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (1.21–4.03μM) or (E)-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-but-2-enylamino] purine (1.11–3.71μM) resulted in formation of embryogenic cultures and somatic embryos. After two 30-day subcultures, embryogenic cultures were transferred onto MS/2 medium supplemented with different auxins and cytokinins. Somatic embryo maturation, germination and plantlet formation were achieved using 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (3.75μM) or indole-3-butyric acid (3.44μM) in combination with BA (0.44 or 1.33μM) or F3iP (0.37 or 1.11μM). Histology confirmed each stage of development. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Nerium oleander

Leaf explants of Nerium oleander L. produced masses of callus when both an auxin and a cytokinin were included in the medium. Leaves cultured on the B5 medium of Gamborg et al. supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d; 9.05 M) plus benzyladenine (BA; 4.4 M) produced callus and profuse rhizogenesis was observed from callus developed from older leaves. On Murashige & Skoog medium (MS) with the same concentration of 2,4-d and BA, explants from young and mature leaves produced callus, but only that from young leaves was embryogenically competent. Globular somatic embryos were obtained when embryogenic cells were cultured on MS medium without growth regulators. Both normal and anomalous development of embryos occurred in either liquid or gelled medium. Plantlets were produced faster when mature embryos were cultured on either solid medium or placed on Sorbarod plugs soaked with this same medium but with 1% sucrose. Plantlets with three nodes were transferred to pots and acclimatized in a growth chamber and afterwards transferred to garden beds.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Acanthopanax senticosus

Mature embryos of Acanthopanax senticosus explanted on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.5 mg/1 2,4-D developed somatic embryos directly from swollen cotyledon and embryo axes within one to two months. When the somatic embryos were transferred to medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/1) or IAA (1–3 mg/1) or Zeatin (0.5 mg/1) and NAA (0.2 mg/1), additional somatic embryos developed. Most (93%) embryos germinated on the above medium without 2,4-D. Sixty-two percent of the plantlets survived in soil. Histological observations revealed that the somatic embryos originated from cell masses of epidermal and sub-epidermal origin. There was no cytological separation zone between the somatic embryos and cultured expiants. Consequently, embryos were difficult to separate from their expiant tissue.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Quercus acutissima

Immature embryos of Quercus acutissima were collected weekly beginning 5 weeks post-fertilization and cultured on modified MS(Murashige and Skoog) medium containing 1,000 mg/l glutamine and 5 mM proline with different combinations of IBA(0.5–10.0 mg/l) and BA(0 or 1.0 mg/l) in light. The highest percentage of embryogenic cultures occurred on the medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA or 1.0 mg/l BA and 0.5 mg/l IBA. Four weeks after initiation, the embryogenic cultures were transferred to MS medium without plant growth regulators and cultured for 4 weeks. The somatic embryos were then transferred to germination medium. The best germination results were achieved from WPM(Woody Plant Medium) containing 0.1 mg/l BA. Plantlets from somatic embryos were incubated on WPM supplemented with 0.2 mg/l BA for 4 weeks and plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were transplanted to perlite and peat moss(11, v/v) mixtures and placed in a culture room. After being hardened off for 8 weeks, they were transferred outdoors where they grew.Abbreviation BA N⁶-benzyladenine - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - ABA abscisic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog Medium - WPM Woody Plant medium     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Anthurium scherzerianum

The effects of xylooligosaccharides isolated from the cell walls of Betula platyphylla var. japonica on cells and protoplasts of Pinus radiata were examined. The addition of a semi-purified mixture of xylooligosaccharides at a concentration of 5μg.ml⁻¹ promoted elongation of cultured cells, whereas the neutral fraction of this mixture had no effect; a similar effect was seen in the presence of conditioned medium. The unfractionated mixture of xylooligosaccharides was also found to enhance the viability of protoplasts prepared from cell cultures of Pinus radiata in a concentration dependent manner, highly similar to the effect provided by addition of medium conditioned by pine cells. Such effects are considered to be due to the addition of components that play a structural role in the cell wall of pines. It is inferred that the acidic components of the xylooligosaccharide mixture derived from t Betula are responsible for this effect in the distant pine species. It is speculated that acidic xylooligosaccharides operate either by replacing, or mimicking, the natural cell wall components required for growth and development of pine cultured cells. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.