Enhancement of somatic embryogenesis in orchardgrass leaf cultures by epinephrine

Epinephrine at 10–100 M stimulated somatic embryogenesis from orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) leaves cultured on SH medium with 30 M of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Ethylene emanation was increased at epinephrine concentrations greater than 10 M. Decarboxylation by the leaves of [1-¹⁴C]IAA included in the medium was decreased almost 3-fold by 10 M epinephrine. Epinephrine at 10 M enhanced the number of regenerated plants on SH medium with 30 M dicamba (SH-30). Ethylene emanation was increased by epinephrine concentrations of 500 M and greater included in SH-30 but somatic embryogenesis was decreased. Addition of 8 M CoCl₂, 6H₂O (an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor) to medium with 500 M epinephrine decreased ethylene emanation to the control level but did not alleviate the decreased embryogenic response.