Growth and differentiation of callus cultures of Pinus

Segments of hypocotyl and cotyledons of aseptically-grown seedlings of Pinus strobus L. (white pine) and P. echinata Mill (shortleaf pine) were used as explants for establishing tissue cultures. Growth and differentiation of callus were studied on a modified Murashige and Skoog's medium containing nutrients and plant growth regulators. Meristems below the surface of callus tissue of P. strobus could be induced on media supplemented with -naphthaleneacetic acid alone or in combination with certain other plant growth regulators. Occasionally, differentiation of shoot buds also occurred on callus cultures. These shoot buds could be grown in vitro but roots did not develop.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - BA 6-Benzyl-aminopurine - 2-ip N⁶-(²-isopentanyl)-adenine - GD Gresshoff and Doy's medium - GE Gamborg and Eveleigh's medium - MS Modified Murashige and Skoog's medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - SC Sommer and Caldas' medium - TIBA 2,3,5-Triiodobenzoic acid     

Screening of diploid Medicago sativa germplasm for somatic embryogenesis

Nineteen accessions of diploid Medicago sativa L. belonging to the four subspecies sativa, caerula, falcata and xvaria were screened for their ability to produce somatic embryos on hypocotyl-derived callus. Two medium protocols were used in this study, a three-step sequence with exposure of the callus cultures to a high 2,4-D concentration and a two-step sequence without exposure to a high 2,4-D concentration. Considerable variation for callus proliferation was observed. In general, the diploid M. sativa accessions showed poor regenerability and it was not possible to correlate high regeneration frequencies with a particular germplasm source. It was, however, possible to identify regenerable genotypes in all four subspecies. One falcata accession produced somatic embryos on the callus induction media at high frequencies. This response was also obtained with a few genotypes from one xvaria accession. All regenerable plants were maintained as shoot cultures and were able to form somatic embryos on petiole-derived calli.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - 2iP iso-pentyladenine - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid Contribution No. 772 Ottawa Research Station     

Assessment of ploidy stability of the somatic embryogenesis process in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L. using flow cytometry

Flow cytometry analyses were used to verify the ploidy stability of Quercus suber L. somatic embryogenesis process. Leaf explants of two adult cork oak trees (QsG0 and QsG5) of the North of Portugal were inoculated on MS medium with 2,4-D and zeatin. After 3 months, calluses with embryogenic structures were isolated and transferred to fresh MS medium without growth regulators and somatic embryo evolution was followed. Morphologically normal somatic embryos (with two cotyledons) and abnormal somatic embryos (with one or three cotyledons) were used in this assay. Flow cytometry combined with propidium iodide staining was employed to estimate DNA ploidy levels and nuclear DNA content of somatic embryos and leaves from mother plants. No significant differences (P0.05) were detected among embryos, and between the embryos and the mother plants. Also, after conversion of these embryos, no significant morphological differences were observed among the somatic embryo-derived plants. These results and further studies using converted plantlet leaves and embryogenic callus tissue indicate that embryo cultures and converted plantlets were stable with regard to ploidy level. As no major somaclonal variation was detected our primary goal of true-to-type propagation of cork oak using somatic embryogenesis was assured at this level. The estimation of the 2C nuclear DNA content for this species is similar to the previously obtained value.     

Ploidy variation of pronamide-treated maize calli during long term culture

Summary Anther-derived calli of corn were treated with 10 M pronamide for 2, 3 and 4 days. The ploidy level of the calli was then evaluated using flow cytometry, at different times after the treatment. Untreated haploid calli did not change in ploidy level for 97 days but by 466 days, there were up to 50% diploid or higher ploidy cells thus showing that spontaneous doubling may occur during corn calli subculture with this genotype. Pronamide treatment did increase the percentage of diploid and tetraploid cells and by 466 days, all of the lines showed an additional change toward higher ploidy levels. This change may be due to spontaneous chromosome doubling or to differential cell cycle times of cells with different ploidy levels. The ploidy level of plants regenerated from the cultures was determined by counting the guard cell chloroplast numbers and the correlation with the ploidy level of the cultures was r²=0.84. These studies show that pronamide treatments can increase haploid maize callus chromosome numbers and that spontaneous chromosome doubling can occur with time in maize callus.     

Elimination of systemic contamination in explant and protoplast cultures of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

Ten systemic microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) were isolated from stem sections of ex vitro grown rubber plants. Antibiotics were screened for their efficacy against these microorganisms and for possible tissue phytotoxicity. Erythromycin, nystatin and streptomycin at bactericidal levels were asymptomatic in relation to tissue stress nor was callusing capacity reduced. Contamination of stem explants as used for callus initiation, was reduced from 95.8 to 43.8% by the incorporation of these three antibiotics, at concentrations of 32.0, 16.0, 16.0 g/ml respectively. Contamination was eliminated from protoplast cultures by these antibiotics, at half strength, in the plasmolysis and enzyme solutions. Rubber protoplast survival was promoted by these antibiotics.Abbreviations WPM woody plant medium (Lloyd and McCown 1981) - 24D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - KN kinetin - WPMDKN woody plant basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 24D and 0.5 mg/l KN - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - ery. erythromycin - ny. nystatin - strep. streptomycin sulphate - tet. tetracycline (all Sigma) - FDA fluorescein diacetate - MIC minimum inhibitory concentration     

Plant regeneration from hypocotyl and petiole callus of Trifolium pratense L.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seedlings were screened for the ability to regenerate plantlets from hypocotyl-derived callus tissue. Media sequences described by Beach and Smith (1979) and Collins and Phillips (1982) and a variation using media from both sequences were tested. Plantlets were regenerated from three out of 642 genotypes. In all three cases, callus was initiated on B5C medium and regeneration was accomplished on SPL medium. Attempts to regenerate plants from petiole-derived callus tissue have so far been successful only with regenerants of clone F49. Petiole callus from epicotyl-derived F49 plants proved to be non-regenerative. Pollen viability varied significantly among individuals regenerated from callus cultures of clone F49. Root tip squashes from F49 regenerants revealed the normal diploid chromosome number (2n=14). The frequency of regeneration within progeny from reciprocal crosses between F49 regenerants and several non-regenerative genotypes was 29%.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BAP benzylaminopurine - KN kinetin - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Ploidy of small individual embryo-like structures from maize anther cultures treated with chromosome doubling agents and calli derived from them

Summary In order to determine the ploidy of individual embryo-like structures (ELSs) following chromosome doubling treatments, a method was developed to determine the DNA content (ploidy level) of nuclei from single ELSs weighing as little as 1 mg using flow cytometry. About half (53%) of the ELSs which formed during anther culture of the maize inbred line used in control medium were haploid, 27% mixoploid and 20% diploid. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) increased the diploid percentage to 52% without affecting the mixoploid frequency (26%). A four day treatment with the chromosome doubling agent colchicine (50M) increased chromosome doubling while oryzalin eliminated the diploidy and mixoploidy. When regenerable callus cultures were initiated from the ELSs none were found to be mixoploid but the haploid and diploid proportions were similar to that of the ELSs analyzed. Regenerable cultures could not be initiated from the colchicine treated ELSs, however. These studies show that with the genotype used here, GA₃ and colchicine increased the amount of chromosome doubling of the ELSs while oryzalin and pronamide did not. The mixoploidy which existed in about 25% of the ELSs was never observed in calli apparently because these structures do not initiate callus or cells of only one ploidy level grew.Abbreviations ELS embryo-like structure - GA₃ gibberellin A₃     

Tissue,cell culture and micropropagation of Mandevilla velutina,a natural source of a bradykinin antagonist

Leaf, stem and root explants of Mandevilla velutina were cultured in vitro and produced vigorous callus in LS basal medium containing one auxin (2,4-D or NAA) plus BAP. Calli can be subcultured indefinitely with vigorous growth. Subculture of calli to NAA (1.0 mg/l) plus BAP (5.0 mg/l) caused profuse regeneration of shoots. Isolated shoots were rooted in basal medium plus NAA (5.0 mg/l) or IBA (8.0 mg/l). Rapidly growing cell suspensions can be easily obtained from friable callus cultured in liquid medium.Abbreviations LS Linsmaier & Skoog - 2,4-D 2,4 dichlorophenoxi-acetic acid - NAA -naphthalene-acetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Carica papaya L. tissue culture derived from root explants

The regeneration potential of shoot tip, stem, leaf, cotyledon and root explants of two papaya cultivars (Carica papaya cv. Solo and cv. Sunrise) were studed. Callus induction of these two cultivars of papaya showed that the shoot tips and stems are most suitable for forming callus, while leaves, cotyledons and roots are comparatively difficult to induce callus. Callus induction also varied with the varities. Somatic embryogenesis was obtained from 3-month-old root cultures. A medium containing half strength of MS inorganic salts, 160 mg/l adenine sulfate, 1.0 mg/1 NAA, 0.5 mg/1 kinetin and 1.0 mg/1 GA₃ was optimal for embryogenesis. The callus maintained high regenerative capacity after two years of culture on this medium. Plants derived from somatic embryos were obtained under green-house conditions.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium - NAA Naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - GA Gibberellic acid - PRV Papaya ring spot virus     

In vitro regeneration ability of diploid and autotetraploid plants of Cichorium intybus L.

Polyploidy has played a significant role in the evolutionary history of plants and is a valuable tool for obtaining useful characteristics. Because of the novelty of polyploids, comparison of their in vitro culture responses with diploids would be notable. In this study, leaf explants from diploid, autotetraploid and mixoploid plants of Cichorium intybus L. were cultured in vitro on the similar media and under same conditions. The ploidy level of the obtained calluses and regenerants were determined by flow cytometry analysis. The callogenic response of leaf explants cultured on the callus induction medium did not depend on the ploidy level of their parental plants. According to the flow cytometry analysis, the increased ploidy levels (4x) and (8x) were observed in the callus cultures with diploid and tetraploid origin, respectively. A considerable difference was observed between the ploidy level of mixoploid plants and their calluses, indicating the dominance of diploid cells in the callus tissue. The results showed that polyploidy led to the loss of organogenic potential as the tetraploid origin calluses failed to regenerate, while the diploid origin calluses successfully regenerated to whole plants.     

Genetic transformation ofEustoma grandiflorum byAgrobacterium tumefaciens

Callus cultures were initiated from micropropagated Artemisia absinthium plantlets on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA, Kn, NAA, IAA and 2,4-d in combination or singly. Supplementing the medium with low doses of both BA in combination with NAA, and Kn in combination with NAA enhanced the growth rate of callus cultures. However, cultures grew slowly following the second subculture and the majority turned brown and died within the next month. Initiation of root and shoot primordia occured directly from leaf explants cultured on 1.81 M 2,4-d, while adventitious shoot formation from callus was observed occasionally when BA was added to the medium in combination with IAA. Furthermore, medium containing 2.22 M BA and 2.69 M NAA stimulated both callus growth and organogenesis on some callus cultures derived from leaves and stems of young stock material. The best results were obtained with leaf explants. Cytological analysis of root meristems revealed that all regenerants were diploid (2n=18), as expected.Abbreviations MS Murashige & Skoog's salts and vitamins (1962) - BA 6-benzyladenine - NAA alphanaphthaleneacetic acid - Kn Kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indoleacetic acid - FW fresh weight - Bi biomass increase     

Regeneration of plantlets from cell suspension culture derived callus of white poplar (Populus alba L.)

Friable calli derived from the stem tissues of Populus alba were used to establish cell suspension cultures which were characterized for in vitro growth and regeneration capacity. Suspended cells and callus recovered from these cells were maximal on a fresh weight basis using MS liquid medium containing 0.44 M BAP and 4.52 M 2,4-D. Shoot regeneration from the recovered callus was observed within 30 to 40 days of culture. The number of shoots was increased by subculturing the shoot-forming callus 2 to 3 times on MS medium supplemented with 19.7 M 2iP and 0.05 M IBA. Regenerated shoots were easily rooted on half-strength MS medium lacking growth regulators, and the plantlets were transferred to pots containing vermiculite for greenhouse growth.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2iP 2-isopentenyladenine - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - PCV packed cell volume - MS medium Murashige and Skoog medium (1962)     

Initiation of callus and somatic embryos from explants of mature cotton (Gossypium klotzschianum Anderss)

Summary Stem and petiole sections from a diploid species of cotton (Gossypium klotzschianum Anderss.) were longitudinally sliced and placed on a callus induction medium. Explants with the cut surface in contact with the medium either browned or produced a slow growing red callus which could not be subcultured. Explants oriented with the epidermis in contact with the medium produced a rapidly growing, friable, green callus which could be subcultured biweekly and has been maintained for 12 months. Globular and torpedo embryos were obtained 2 weeks after transfer of the callus to a liquid medium containing the auxin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Following subculture to an auxin-free medium, the embryos underwent additional development but plantlets were not obtained. Attempts to consistently regenerate plants from embryos are currently under way.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2iP N⁶(²- isopentenyl) - adenine - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid Technical Article 18191 from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station     

Induction of mitosis in polytene nuclei and hormonal effect on nuclear changes during callus initiation in diploid Urginea indica Kunth. (liliaceae)

Bulb scale and inflorescence explants of Urginea indica Kunth. (2n=20) were cultured in vitro on modified Murashige & Skoog's medium with different hormonal composition. Media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D) (2 and 4 mgl^–1) and -naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) (2 mgl^–1) could induce callus in inflorescence explants. Combination of 2,4-D (4 mgl^–1) + NAA (2 mgl^–1) + Kinetin (2 mgl^–1) only could induce callus formation in scale explants. The bulb scale explants contained mostly diploid cells while the inflorescence explants contained cells with nuclear DNA content ranging from 2C to 64C. The lowest karyological heterogeneity was recorded in callus derived from bulb scale and in callus derived from inflorescence induced with NAA. The highest variability was recorded on media with 2,4-D alone. Induction of division, probably of the pre-existing polytenic nuclei in the inflorescence explant, has been suggested to be the cause of origin of polyploid cells in such cases.     

Development of laticifer cells in callus cultures of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br.

Tissue cultures were established from stem explants of Calotropis procera, a hydrocarbon yielding desert shrub on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1.5 mg. 1^–01 2,4-D + 0.5 mg.1^–1 kinetin and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Laticifer cells were not present in young callus but were observed after 4 weeks of callus growth when examined histochemically. These young laticifers were detected in the 5th week of culture and were distinguished from surrounding cells by the presence of characteristic cytoplasm and thin walls. A group of cells with extensive branching was developed after 8 weeks of growth of the callus cultures. These cells were thick walled and contained latex particles in coagulated masses. Positive Liebermann-Burchard test proved the presence of terpenoids in these laticifers.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - KIN Kinetin - PVP Polyvinylpyrrolidone - HHS Heidenhain's Haematoxylin and safranin     

Variation in nicotine content of tobacco callus cultures

Plants ofNicotiana tabacum L. cv. Burley 21 which showed no difference in nicotine content were used to establish callus cultures. Cultures were initiated from different plants and from different leaves within each plant. The nicotine content of the calli was determined, and the results subjected to an analysis of variance. Differences between plants and differences within plants significantly affected the nicotine content of the cultures. The differences between plants were transmitted sexually and asexually, providing evidence that they are genetically determined. No such differences in nicotine content were found between the plants from which the cultures were established, indicating that nicotine production in vitro involves additional genes to those which are needed for nicotine production in the plant. The differences within plants were further investigated by establishing callus cultures from pith explants taken from different parts of the stem. Explants from apical pith tissue gave calli having far more nicotine and more roots than cultures derived from basal pith explants. This results may reflect the proximity of the apical pith explants to the site of auxin synthesis in the stem apex. Callus cultures derived from pith explants showed greater growth and nicotine production than those derived from leaf explants when the calli were induced on Murashige-Skoog medium containing -naphthalene acetic acid. This result is in conflict with the widely held belief that explants from different parts of the plant give cultures with similar yields of species-specific compounds.Abbreviations HN High nicotine - LN low nicotine     

Analysis of the genetic stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> Labill. somatic embryos by flow cytometry

Flow cytometry was used to measure the nuclear DNA content of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. somatic and zygotic embryos and leaves in order to determine if somatic embryogenesis induces DNA content and ploidy changes in this species. Mature zygotic embryos derived from open-pollination orchard families were collected from a location in the centre of Portugal. One group was kept for nuclear DNA content and ploidy analysis, and the other group was used for establishing embryogenic cultures. Mature zygotic embryos were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 3 mg l^–1 -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for 3 weeks and then transferred to MS medium without growth regulators. Globular somatic embryos from approximately 8-month-old embryogenic cultures were used in the assay. DNA ploidy levels and the nuclear DNA content of mature zygotic embryos, somatic embryos and leaves from the mother field tree were determined using flow cytometry combined with propidium iodide staining. Zygotic embryos had a nuclear DNA content of 1.32 pg/2C, somatic embryos had a nuclear DNA content of 1.39 pg/2C and leaves from the field tree had a nuclear DNA content of 1.40 pg/2C. The values estimated for the somatic embryos and mother plant did not differ statistically from each other (P0.05), but both differed from those of the zygotic embryos (P0.05). These results clearly indicate that no changes were induced during the embryogenic process. However, the differences found between the field plants and zygotic embryos did suggest that some aspects must be evaluated carefully, as propidium iodide fluorescence may potentially be influenced by the presence of secondary compounds (e.g. anthocyanins, tannins) in E. globulus somatic embryos and mature leaves. Therefore we believe that the somatic embryogenesis methodology used did not induce major genetic changes in the somatic embryos and that our primary goal of true-to-type propagation was assured.     

Plant regeneration from cultured hypocotyl explants of diploid and tetraploid Solanum khasianum clarke

Plant regeneration through shoot bud formation was induced in cultured hypocotyl explants of diploid and tetraploid varieties of Solanum khasianum. Optimum regeneration of multiple shoot buds accompanied by rooting occurred on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with IAA (1 mg/1) and kinetin or benzyladenine (1 mg/1). Plantlets obtained in vitro were successfully established in soil.Part of a thesis entitled Morphogenetic studies in tissue and organ cultures of certain Solanaceous plants: Capsicum, Lycopersicon and Solanum submitted by A.L. Gunay and approved for Master's degree in Botany by research of the University of Bombay.     

Tissue culture and plant regeneration of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. cv. Melitopolski)

Plants were regenerated from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris). The explants were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog's basal nutrient medium supplemented with auxin, cytokinin and auxin-cytokinin combinations. Green healthy nodular and compact callus was obtained in medium containing naphthalene acetic acid and benzylaminopurine. Shoot differentiation and root differentiation from the cotyledon and hypocotyl after callus formation in different media containing benzylaminopurine or naphthalene acetic acid, respectively. Shoot formation required benzylaminopurine. Kinetin proved ineffective in inducing shoot buds or shoots. Root differentiation occurred in a medium containing naphthalene acetic acid or indole acetic acid. There was a greater proliferation of roots on medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid. The regenerated shoots developed roots when transferred to medium containing naphthalene acetic acid and complete plantlets could be transferred to soil for further growth.Abbreviations BAP 6 Benzylaminopurine - NAA -Naphthalene acetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog's medium - IAA Indole acetic acid - KN Kinetin     

In vitro propagation of guayule (Parthenium argentatum) — a rubber yielding shrub

Nodal explants (0.5 to 0.8 cm long) isolated from 2-year old shrubs of guayule, Parthenium argentatum Gray, when cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of KN, BAP, 2,4-D, 2,4-D + BAP, NAA and NAA + BAP produced callus tissues and shoots simultaneously with varying frequencies. Shoots were regenerated with a high frequency (80–88%) from callus on MS medium containing NAA + BAP with or without glutamine. Addition of glutamine to these media improved considerably the number of shoots formed from a known amount of callus. Shoots could be regenerated from 200 day old callus cultures with a very high frequency but the organogenetic capacity declined thereafter. Increase in the concentration of sucrose (upto 4%) significantly enhanced the shoot forming ability of callus, but higher concentrations (6%) suppressed it. Rooting was induced only in dark when IAA, IBA and NAA were used, but 2,4-D could induce them both in light and dark. The system is suitable for the mass propagation of this important rubber yielding plant.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - IBA Indole-3-butyric acid - NAA -Naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - KN Kinetin - BAP 6-Benzylaminopurine