Phenylacetic acid-induced somatic embryogenesis in cultured hypocotyl explants of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey)

Summary The effect of a non-indole compound, phenylacetic acid (PAA), on the induction of somatic embryogenesis in tissue cultures of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey cv. Scarlet Orbit Improved) was investigated. Hypocotyl explants derived from young, dark-grown seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemented with PAA or IAA (0.01–120 M) alone or in combination with BAP (8 M). Somatic embryogenesis was induced by both PAA and IAA at 0.01–20 M with 8 M BAP, however, the optima differed considerably for the two compounds. Maximal activity of IAA for somatic embryogenesis was found at 0.1–2.5 M, whereas PAA gave best results at 10 and 20 M under identical culture conditions. Higher concentrations (30–120 M) of IAA or PAA in the medium induced callusing in the explants, but the callus was neither embryogenic nor morphogenic.Abbreviations BAP N⁶-benzylaminopurine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - PAA phenylacetic acid     

Acetylsalicylic acid enhances and synchronizes thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis in geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) tissue cultures

Summary Thidiazuron (TDZ) effectively induced somatic embryogenesis in cultured hypocotyl explants of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) during only a 3-day period of induction. The presence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) during this period caused a two-fold increase in the number of somatic embryos and enhanced synchronization of embryo development compared to the TDZ treatment alone. Salicylic acid was ineffective in modulating similar embryogenic responses as ASA. The ASA-induced enhancement and synchronization of somatic embryogenesis could possibly be used as an experimental system to study the interplay of growth regulators in somatic embryogenesis.Abbreviations ASA acetylsalicylic acid - SA salicylic acid     

Adventitious shoot induction and somatic embryogenesis with intact seedlings of several hybrid seed geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) varieties

Summary Intact seedlings of hybrid seed geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) were tested for their ability to produce adventitious shoots and somatic embryos by direct culture of mature seeds on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemented with growth regulators BAP, BAP + IAA, or thidiazuron (TDZ). Ten varieties were tested in the presence of different BAP concentrations, four with BAP + IAA, and two with TDZ. Varieties used in this study differed in their response to BAP in the medium. Multiple adventitious shoots were produced by seven of the ten varieties tested. Multiple adventitious shoots were induced at all levels of TDZ in the medium. TDZ also induced callusing from roots and direct embryogenesis from intact hypocotyls. Adventitious shoots were separated, rooted and transferred to soil where they grew as normal healthy plants and flowered.Abbreviations BAP N⁶-benzylaminopurine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - TDZ thidiazuron     

Inhibitory effect of GA3 on the development of thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis in geranium (Pelargonium xhortorum Bailey) hypocotyl cultures

Somatic embryogenesis in geranium (Pelargonium xhortorum Bailey cv Scarlet Orbit Improved) can be achieved by incubating hypocotyl explants on MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ; 10 M for 3 days followed by subculture on medium devoid of any plant growth regulators. The presence of gibberellins (GAs) during both the induction and expression phases of embryogenesis was significantly detrimental to somatic embryo formation on the hypocotyl explants. The addition of the GA-synthesis inhibitors paclobutrazol, uniconazole or ancymidol during the period of growth and differentiation of somatic embryos increased the number of somatic embryos formed on each explant. However, paclobutrazol added during the period of induction had no significant influence on somatic embryo formation. Results suggest that both exogenously supplied as well as endogenous GAs play a role, albeit a negative one, on somatic embryogenesis of geranium.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - MSO basal medium devoid of any plant growth regulator - TDZ N-phenyl-N1,2,3-thidiazol-5-ylurea (thidiazuron)     

Induction of high-frequency somatic embryogenesis in geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey cv Ringo Rose) cotyledonary cultures

Summary The cv Ringo Rose of hybrid seed geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey), previously shown to be recalcitrant in culture, produced somatic embryos when cotyledonary explants were cultured on regeneration medium containing thidiazuron (TDZ), forchlorfenuron (CPPU), or a combination of indole-3-acetic acid and N⁶ benzylaminopurine (IAA+BAP). Amendment of the basal medium with TDZ (0.5 M) was the most effective treatment. Addition of amino acids to the medium promoted the growth of somatic embryos. Retention of the proximal region of the cotyledon was crucial for regeneration, but the removal of the distal 1/3 to 1/2 cotyledon had no significant effect on somatic embryogenesis. Cotyledonary explants formed somatic embryos in higher frequency and much earlier than hypocotyl explants cultured on the same medium. The somatic embryos induced on cotyledonary explants were germinated on basal medium. More than 70% of the somatic embryos were converted into plants and transferred to soilAbbreviations BAP N⁶-benzylaminopurine - CPPU N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (forchlorfenuron) - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - TDZ N-phenyl-N'-1,2,3,-thiadiazol-5ylurea (thidiazuron)     

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

Embryogenic calli were initiated from embryonic explants of Pinus roxburghii using female gametophytes containing immature pre-cotyledonary embryos. Zygotic embryos were collected at different developmental stages and cultured on various media. Initiation of embryogenic calli was achieved in pre-cotyledonary zygotic embryos of a 0.1-mm to 1.2-mm embryonal head on Douglus fir cotyledon revised medium (DCR) medium supplemented with 2,4-D or NAA and BA. Embryogenic callus development was initiated from the suspensor region of immature embryos. The method of immature embryo culture was significant as rapid embryogenic callus development occurred in megagametophytes where the suspensor was stretched onto the medium from the cut micropylar end. Sixty embryogenic lines were established from 2500 explants cultured during one season. A pro-embryo with six to eight meristematic cells and suspensor of six to ten long, vacuolated cells dominated the early phase of the callus development. Cleavage polyembryony occurred in proliferating callus, constituting a method of multiplication of these somatic embryos. Somatic embryos developed to stage-I and stage-II embryos on DCR medium supplemented with 5 μM 2,4-D or 10 μM NAA. Received: 30 June 1999 / Revision received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted: 3 December 1999     

Role of purine metabolism in thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis of geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum) hypocotyl cultures

Somatic embryogenesis in geranium ( Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey cv. Scarlet Orbit Improved) was achieved by culturing hypocotyl sections on Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium containing 10 μ M thidiazuron (TDZ) (induction medium) for 3 days and subsequently transferring the sections onto a basal medium lacking any plant growth regulators (expression medium). Addition of the purine analogue 2.6-diaminopurine (DAP) to the somatic embryo induction medium completely inhibited the embryogenic response as well as chlorophyll accumulation without affecting enlargement of the treated tissues. Addition of 20 μ M adenine sulphate to the expression medium, i.e during embryo growth and development phase, completely reversed the DAP-induced inhibition of the embryogenic response while addition during the induction phase caused only a 50% reversal of the inhibition. Analysis of endogenous levels of plant growth substances indicated that TDZ alone elevated the levels of auxins, cy-tokinins and abscisic acid while the presence of DAP during the induction phase caused a further increase in the levels of adenine and adenosine. These findings indicate a possible critical role for purines in embryogenesis from geranium hypocotyl tissues. However, the conversion of cytokinin bases to their corresponding nucleotide forms was not evident as the levels of isopentenyl adenine and zeatin increased during the second day of culture.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in zygotic embryo explant cultures of rugosa rose

Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) is cultivated as a garden flower and an important genetic resource for the breeding of roses (R. hybrida). This study describes culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration from zygotic embryo explants via somatic embryogenesis in rugosa rose. Mature zygotic embryo, cotyledon, and radicle explants formed embryogenic calluses at frequencies of 38, 6.7, and 8.8% when cultured on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½MS) supplemented with 2.26, 9.05, and 9.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, respectively. Embryogenic calluses produced numerous somatic embryos, which then developed into plantlets on ½MS without growth regulators. Regenerated plantlets were grown to whole plants in a growth chamber.     

Effect of explant source and auxins on somatic embryogenesis of selected cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars

Competence for somatic embryogenesis of eight cassava cultivars T200, AR9-18, MTAI16, CR25-4, CM523-7, BRA1183, MCOL2261 and SM707-17 was compared to model cultivar TMS60444 in induction media containing 12 mg/l picloram or 8 mg/l 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), using axillary buds (AB) and immature leaf lobes (ILL) as explants. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) among the cassava genotypes for ability to form somatic embryos (SE). In general, AB as the explant and picloram-containing medium had the highest frequency of SE for TMS60444, T200, MTAI16, CR25-4 and CM523-7 while AR9-18 had greater efficiency using ILL on picloram. Cultivars BRA1183, MCOL2261 and SM707-17 produced insignificant amounts of SE; however, loose callus and friable embryogenic callus (FEC) appeared to be the predominant tissue type observed. Five out of the eight cultivars studied showed capability of producing SE although their efficiency for somatic embryogenesis was not as high as the model cultivar TMS60444.     

Modulation of somatic embryogenesis in hypocotyl-derived cultures of geranium (Pelargonium X hortorum bailey) CV ringo rose by a bacterium

Summary The Ringo Rose cultivar of zonal geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) has been shown to be morphogenetically unresponsive. Attempts to improve somatic embryogenesis using various seed stress treatments before germination proved ineffective. However, bacterial contamination of one of the seed-stress treatments led to infected explants that had a significant increase in frequency of high-quality somatic embryos. The co-cultivation of explants with the isolated bacterium (tentatively identified asBacillus sp.) was found to be repeatable, and potentially represents a novel way to improve morphogenesis in geranium and possibly other species.     

Micropropagation of gum karaya (Sterculia urens) by adventitious shoot formation and somatic embryogenesis

Nodal explants from selected trees of gum karaya (Sterculia urens Roxb.) in the adult growth phase cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6.62 μm N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) produced an average of six adventitious shoots in 30 days. Shoots were rooted in vitro on 1/4-strength MS medium containing 9.82 μm indole-3-butyric acid. Nodulated callus was produced from hypocotyl explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 4.52 μm 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 8.90 μm BAP. Somatic embryos developed when the nodulated callus was transferred to MS medium containing 0.45 μm thidiazuron (TDZ). TDZ treatment for 2 days gave the optimum response. Over 30% of the somatic embryos developed into plantlets when transferred to 1/4-strength MS basal medium without any growth regulators. Plantlets produced from adventitious shoots and somatic embryos were acclimatized to ex vitro conditions and established in the field. Received: 26 November 1997 / Revision received: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 11 May 1998     

Ontogenic variations in n-alkanes during somatic embryogenesis of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Hypocotyl segments (HS) of flax seedlings germinated in vitro, were used to induce indirect somatic embryogenesis on solid medium. The composition and distribution of n-alkanes in flax tissues collected at different developmental stages were studied by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). During induction and development of callus from hypocotyl tissues a decrease in the percentage of total lipids was observed. In all types of tissue sampled – HS used as primary explants, HS with differentiating calli at the cut ends (HSC), embryogenic (EC) and non-embryogenic calli (NEC) and somatic embryos (SE) – a skewed-normal distribution of n-alkanes with a low mass range (C₁₃–C₂₁) were found. The highest content of n-alkanes occurred in the primary hypocotyl explants and in the early stages of callus development. Longer carbon chain n-alkanes were observed only in the mature or differentiated tissues of hypocotyls and SE. Although the n-alkane contents decreased with time, in SE and calli, a significantly lower n-alkane content was observed in EC when compared to NEC independent of the time in culture. These results suggest the utilisation of n-alkanes for heterotrophic cellular growth as well as its mobilisation from EC to developing SE.     

Suppression of somatic embryogenesis in Citrus cell cultures by extracellular proteins

Nucellar-derived cell cultures of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) proliferate as proembryogenic masses. By a change in the carbon source of the medium from sucrose to glycerol they are induced to undergo synchronous embryogenesis forming embryo initials that develop into globular embryos. The proembryogenic masses released glycoproteins to the medium. Exogenous addition of the glycoproteins to cells in glycerol-containing medium modified the course of embryo development in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of 20 g · ml^–1 of glycoproteins blocked embryogenesis and resulted in an accumulation of embryo initials. When glycoproteins were added to cultures containing advanced globularstage embryos further development was suppressed. The inhibitory component of the glycoproteins was found to be a family of polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 53–57 kDa. While these proteins normally accumulated only in cultures of proembryogenic masses, they could be induced to accumulate in glycerol-containing medium by the addition of the glycoproteins. Thus, their accumulation was not a direct consequence of the type of growth medium used or the developmental state of the cultures. The results indicate that the 53-to 57 kDa glycoproteins could play a regulatory role in in-vitro embryogenesis in sour orange. The normal progression of embryo development appears to depend, in an obligatory manner, on the absence of these glycosylated extracellular proteins from the medium.Abbreviations kDa kilodalton - PEM proembryogenic masses - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - 2D-PAGE Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis We thank Dr. S. Satoh (Institute of Biological Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan) for sending protein samples of the purified 57-kDa glycoprotein. This research was supported by a grant from the Charles H. Revson Foundation for Basic Research in the Life Sciences of the Israel Academy of Sciences. R.F. is a recipient of the Jack and Florence Goodman Career Development Chair.     

Uniformity of plants regenerated from somatic embryos of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass)

Summary Plants were regenerated by somatic embryogenesis from cultured leaf segments of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass). All plants were phenotypically similar to the donor plant from which expiants were obtained for culture. Examination of the cytological and morphological characteristics of the regenerated plants did not show any changes in mitotic (root tip) chromosome number, structural rearrangements of chromosomes, pollen stainability and morphological characteristics.     

Selection of amitrole tolerant tobacco calli and the expression of this tolerance in regenerated plants and progeny

Summary Thirty-one clones capable of growth in the presence of 1.9×10^–4 M amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) were isolated from non-mutagenized cell suspensions of haploid Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wisconsin 38 plants at a frequency of 2.5×10^–8. Seven clones retained tolerance when grown on selective medium for three years. When clones were cultured in the absence of amitrole, tolerance persisted for 9 months in five clones. Some plants regenerated from three amitrole-tolerant clones were tolerant. Seven amitrole-tolerant clones were isolated from diploid N. tabacum cell suspensions and R plant tolerance was followed through two sexual generations. Simple Mendelian inheritance patterns were not observed.     

Role of purine metabolism in thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis of geranium (Pelargonium×hortorum) hypocotyl cultures

Somatic embryogenesis in geranium ( Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey cv. Scarlet Orbit Improved) was achieved by culturing hypocotyl sections on Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium containing 10 μ M thidiazuron (TDZ) (induction medium) for 3 days and subsequently transferring the sections onto a basal medium lacking any plant growth regulators (expression medium). Addition of the purine analogue 2.6-diaminopurine (DAP) to the somatic embryo induction medium completely inhibited the embryogenic response as well as chlorophyll accumulation without affecting enlargement of the treated tissues. Addition of 20 μ M adenine sulphate to the expression medium, i.e during embryo growth and development phase, completely reversed the DAP-induced inhibition of the embryogenic response while addition during the induction phase caused only a 50% reversal of the inhibition. Analysis of endogenous levels of plant growth substances indicated that TDZ alone elevated the levels of auxins, cy-tokinins and abscisic acid while the presence of DAP during the induction phase caused a further increase in the levels of adenine and adenosine. These findings indicate a possible critical role for purines in embryogenesis from geranium hypocotyl tissues. However, the conversion of cytokinin bases to their corresponding nucleotide forms was not evident as the levels of isopentenyl adenine and zeatin increased during the second day of culture.     

Somatic embryogenesis in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.): stimulation of direct differentiation of somatic embryos by forchlorfenuron (CPPU)

Summary The ability of forchlorfenuron (CPPU), a substituted phenylurea compound, for inducing somatic embryogenesis in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seedlings has been demonstrated. CPPU promoted somatic embryogenesis at a range of concentrations in all three peanut cultivars tested. Embryogenic response was dependent on applied CPPU concentrations. Exposure of seedlings for only two days to CPPU induced somatic embryogenesis, but the most effective treatment was to induce seed germination on media supplemented with either 2.5 or 4.0 M CPPU and to maintain the seedlings on the same medium. Number of somatic embryos and the frequency of embryogenesis was higher for younger seedlings (up to 9 days), regardless of the CPPU concentrations and seedlings older than 21 days failed to produce somatic embryos. Removal of cotyledons from the seeds drastically reduced the embryogenic potential of the seedlings. Somatic embryos developed into whole plants following their separation and subculture on a medium lacking growth regulators. The induction of somatic embryos using CPPU as a sole growth regulator may provide a useful system to study the role of this compound in plant morphogenesis.Abbreviations CPPU N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea - DPU N,N'-diphenylurea - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid     

Factors influencing efficiency of somatic embryogenesis of Gentiana kurroo (Royle) cell suspension

In this paper, we would like to show unexpected morphogenic potential of cell suspensions derived from seedling explants of Gentiana kurroo (Royle). Suspension cultures were established with the use of embryogenic callus derived from seedling explants (root, hypocotyl and cotyledons). Proembryogenic mass proliferated in liquid MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ Kin. The highest growth coefficient was achieved for root derived cell suspensions. The microscopic analysis showed differences in aggregate structure depending on their size. To assess the embryogenic capability of the particular culture, 100 mg of cell aggregates was implanted on MS agar medium supplemented with Kin (0.0–2.0 mg l⁻¹), GA₃ (0.0–2.0 mg l⁻¹) and AS (80.0 mg l⁻¹). The highest number of somatic embryos was obtained for cotyledon-derived cell suspension on GA₃-free medium, but the best morphological quality of embryos was observed in the presence of 0.5–1.0 mg l⁻¹ Kin, 0.5 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ and 80.0 mg l⁻¹ AS. The morphogenic competence of cultures also depended on the size of the aggregate fraction and was lower when size of aggregates decreased. Flow cytometry analysis reveled luck of uniformity of regenerants derived from hypocotyl suspension and 100% of uniformity for cotyledon suspension.     

Abscisic acid and stress treatment are essential for the acquisition of embryogenic competence by carrot somatic cells

Studies of carrot embryogenesis have suggested that abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in somatic embryogenesis. A relationship between endogenous ABA and the induction of somatic embryogenesis was demonstrated using stress-induced system of somatic embryos. The embryonic-specific genes C-ABI3 and embryogenic cell proteins (ECPs) were expressed during stress treatment prior to the formation of somatic embryos. The stress-induction system for embryogenesis was clearly distinguished by two phases: the acquisition of embryogenic competence and the formation of a somatic embryo. Somatic embryo formation was inhibited by the application of fluridone (especially at 10⁻⁴ M), a potent inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis, during stress treatment. The inhibitory effect of fluridone was nullified by the simultaneous application of fluridone and ABA. The level of endogenous ABA increased transiently during stress. However, somatic embryogenesis was not significantly induced by the application of only ABA to the endogenous level, in the absence of stress. These results suggest that the induction of somatic embryogenesis, in particular the acquisition of embryogenic competence, is caused not only by the presence of ABA but also by physiological responses that are directly controlled by stresses.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in different organs ofEuterpe edulis mart. (Palmae): Control and structural features

Somatic embryogenesis and further plant regeneration were observed using zygotic embryos, young inflorescences and young leaves ofEuterpe edulis (Palmae) as explants. Both for the cultures of zygotic embryos and inflorescences, activated charcoal in the medium was essential for the establishment of viable cultures. Embryogenesis was induced by using a gelled basal medium with MS or Euwens salts supplemented by high 2, 4-D levels (50–100 mg L⁻¹). The embryogenic process was direct without a callus stage. For further development, cultures with globular or post-globular embryos were transferred to the basal medium with 2-iP (2.5 mg L⁻¹) and NAA (0.1 mg L⁻¹). To convert embryos to plantlets, cultures were transferred to a third medium in which sucrose and salts were reduced to the half-strenght of the basal medium, without growth regulators. In the case of liquid medium, with either 2, 4-D or NAA (10–20 mg L⁻¹). The developmental stage of each explant was critical for the induction of embryogenesis. The histological study of embryogenic cultures revealed that in the case of zygotic embryos, somatic embryos arise directly from the surface of the cotyledonar node, or from subepidermal tissues. In the inflorescences, a pro-embryogenic tissue is formed at the floral primordium region; in the leaves, the first morphogenic event is cell proliferation in the vascular parenchyma.