Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Laminaria japonica Areschoug (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in a continuous-flow culture system

A continuous-flow culture system was developed for culturing Laminaria japonica protoplasts. Protoplasts were settled on 5-μm pore size nylon mesh fixed inside a 50-ml plastic syringe, and cultured in Provasoli's enriched seawater with iodine medium with a gentle upward flow generated by a peristaltic pump. In the culture system, 50% of the protoplasts regenerated their cell wall within 24 hours and almost all protoplasts regenerated a cell wall after 3 days culture. After cell wall regeneration, a number of cells divided and regenerated into sheet-shaped thalli. The thalli transferred to a tissue culture flask developed into sporophyte-like plantlets within 1 month. Plantlets then differentiated into blade, stipe, and holdfast, with a proper mucilage canal. Received: 21 April 1997 / Revision received: 27 June 1997 / Accepted: 5 July 1997