In vitro somatic embryogenesis in turf-type bermudagrass: roles of abscisic acid and gibberellic acid, and occurrence of secondary somatic embryogenesis

Bermudagrass is an important warm‐season turfgrass species that is recalcitrant in regeneration in tissue culture. In a previous report, we observed that somatic embryogenesis of immature inflorescence culture was substantially improved when low levels of 2,4‐dichloro‐phenoxy acetic acid (1 mg/l) and 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP, 0.01 mg/l) were included in the callus induction medium. The object of this study was to further improve the culture conditions to enhance somatic embryo formation and plantlet regeneration. It was shown that the abscisic acid supplement (2 or 5 mg/l) to the above callus induction medium further enhanced somatic embryogenesis in hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon×Cynodon transvaalensis) cv. ‘Tifgreen’. The addition of gibberellic acid (0. 2 mg/l) to the BAP (1 mg/l)‐containing regeneration medium accelerated germination/regeneration of the somatic embryos. Secondary and repetitive somatic embryogenesis, which is rarely reported in monocots, was observed in common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon, cv. ‘Savannah’), and a full course of such a development was captured by a periodical microphotography. Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed the observation.     

Efficient hybridization between Lycopersicon esculentum and L. peruvianum via 'embryo rescue' and in vitro propagation

For the transfer of valuable traits from wild species into the cultivated tomato, excised globular-stage embryos 13 and 15 days after pollination (DAP) were cultured in vitro. Plants were regenerated from interspecific crosses of Lycopersicon esculentum cv. ‘Early pink’×L. peruvianum PI270435, and backcrosses of L. esculentum‘Giban (JF) No. 1’× (‘Early pink’× PI270435). Somatic embryos and single cotyledons emerged on hypocotyl sections of the embryos. Five to nine plantlets per embryo were obtained by clonal propagation. The hybrid nature of the plants is confirmed by comparing hybrids and parents in their ability to regenerate shoots from leaf segments in vitro, by comparing plant morphology and characteristics and by chromosome number. This study describes an efficient ‘embryo rescue’ method, as well as somatic embryogenesis by clonal propagation. A novel and simple method for the characterization of the interspecific hybrids is also reported.     

Sexual Transmission of Somatic Embryogenesis in Dactylis glomerate*

A Dactylis glomerata L. genotype that produces somatic embryos in vitro was tested for the ability to sexually transmit the embryogenic trait. Reciprocal crosses were performed between the embryogenic and two non-embryogenic genotypes. Leaf segments from 69 F₁ plants were cultured on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium amended with 30 μM 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba). Somatic embryogenesis was expressed in 39 of the F₁ plants. The embryogenic parent was female for 18 of these plants and male for the other 21. The 39:30 ratio of embryogenic: non-embryogenic fits an expected 1:1 for tetrasomic inheritance of a dominant nuclear gene.     

PEG对杂花苜蓿体胚发生的影响及体胚的细胞学观察

以甘农1号杂花苜蓿下胚轴为材料诱导愈伤组织,愈伤组织在添加不同PEG6000浓度的UM+0.1mg/L NAA+0.5mg/L KT培养基上发生体胚,研究PEG6000对体胚发生的影响,并观察了体胚的细胞学结构。结果表明,适量的PEG6000对体胚的发生有促进作用,其中添加6% PEG6000体胚的发生率最高;石蜡切片观察得出体胚的发育经过球形胚、心形胚、鱼雷胚及子叶胚4个阶段形成一个完整的体胚。     

花生体细胞胚诱导及植株再生研究

为了建立花生体细胞胚诱导及植株再生体系,为花生分子育种提供技术支撑,以花生品种‘桂花30’和‘桂花771’为材料,采用预培养3天的种子胚小叶、下胚轴、子叶节为外植体,在添加外源激素的MS培养基中使体细胞脱分化形成体细胞胚,再分化成植株。结果表明,在所设定2,4-D浓度（3,5,10,15,20 mg/L）范围内,胚小叶最容易诱导形成体细胞胚,2,4-D的适宜浓度为10 mg/L,经过约30天培养,可产生大量体细胞胚,‘桂花30’和‘桂花771’的平均诱导率分别为55.37%和36.72%。平均每个外植体产胚量分别为5.68个和4.27个。将诱导形成的体细胞胚转接到6-BA浓度由5 mg/L逐渐降低到1.5 mg/L的MS培养基中,体细胞胚萌发再生成无根小苗,正常植株再生率‘桂花30’为32.6%,‘桂花771’为23.5%。将无根苗转接到生根培养基中可获得完整植株。花生是较难诱导体细胞胚形成的作物之一,筛选合适的基因型、外植体和激素浓度是获得较高体细胞胚发生率和植株再生率的关键技术。     

Efficient shoot regeneration and somatic embryogenesis from immature cotyledons of Brassica napus L.

Immature cotyledons of Brassica napus cv.‘Topas’ were used to investigate the effects of various naphthaleneacetic acid and benzylaminopurine concentrations on morphogenesis in vitro. A high efficiency of adventitious shoot regeneration and somatic embryogenesis was achieved on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with the above growth regulators. Two types of somatic embryogenesis were obtained, the first directly and the second via a callus stage.     

Regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from petal-derived calli of Rosa hybrida L. cv arizona (hybrid tea)

Summary Somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures of petal explants of rose cv arizona is reported here. The calli from petals initiated on dicamba containing medium were friable and gave rise to embryos after several subcultures while those obtained from other explants did not show embryogenesis. Abscisic acid and phloroglucinol were necessary during maturation and plant development, respectively. The individual embryos grew into true-to-type plants.     

Somatic Embryogenesis in Hypocotyl Protoplast Culture of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

By using a system of agirose plating and agarose bead culture, it was possible to induce efficient somatic embryogenesis in protoplast-derived calli of two rapeseed varieties, ‘Ceres’ and ‘Duplo’. Protoplasts were isolated from hypocotyls. For the initial protoplast culture a modified 8P medium was employed containing 2,4D (1.0 mg/l), NAA (0.1 mg/ 1), BAP (0.4 mg/l) and mannitol (7 %). After microcalli were obtained in four weeks, somatic embryos were induced by a two-step method. This involved a modified MS medium containing 2,4D (3.0 mg/l) in the first step and no 2,4D, but BAP (3.0 mg/l) and GA₃ (0.1 mg/l) in the second. This procedure also secured plant regeneration.     

Study of the variation in the somatic embryogenesis ability of some pea lines (Pisum sativum L. and Pisum arvense L.)

Summary Thirty lines of pea were tested in vitro to evaluate their ability to produce somatic embryos. Three distinct genotypic classes were detected (strong, medium and weak). The best responses were obtained in Pisum sativum. Abnormal somatic embryos and secondary embryogenesis seem to constitute the principal obstacle to the development of these structures.     

Direct as well as indirect somatic embryogenesis from immature (unemerged) inflorescence of a minor millet Paspalum scrobiculatum L.

Somatic embryos differentiated directly on the rachis of immature inflorescences of Paspalum scrobiculatum L. cv. PSC 1 on culture to MS or N₆ medium supplemented with different concentrations (4.5–22.5 μM) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Direct embryogenesis on the rachis of inflorescence explants forms the first instance in graminaceous plants. Highest frequency of direct embryogenesis (34%and 30% cultures, respectively) was possible on N₆ medium supplemented with 4.5 μM of 2,4-D and MS medium fortified with9.0 μM of 2,4-D. Other tissues of the explant, floral-primordia, only after an initial phase of callusing differentiated into somatic embryos; indirect embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis, direct as well as indirect, was resolved by scanning electron microscopy. The somatic embryos germinated and developed into plantlets on regeneration medium. Interestingly, one week incubation of somatic embryos on activated charcoal (0.5%) fortified basal medium, supported high potential for ‘germination’ on transfer to charcoal-free basal medium. This beneficial effect of activated charcoal on regeneration of somatic embryos into plantlets is the first record in the Gramineae. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of in vitro wheat somatic embryogenesis

Summary A spring wheat genotype which produces somatic embryos in vitro, after short and long-term culture, was tested for its ability to sexually transmit this embryogenic trait. Reciprocal crosses were performed between a embryogenic line and a nonembryogenic variety.Immature embryos were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium plus 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, gelled with 5.5 g/l agarose. Somatic embryogenesis was not expressed in the F₁'s. In contrast, from several hundred immature embryos of the F₂ generation of one cross, 10.7% and 1.6% expressed somatic embryogenesis in short and long-term cultures respectively. These percentages of embryogenic: non-embryogenic fits a model of a few complementary genes. The embryogenic capacity of the F₂ genotypes depends on the presence of recessive alleles at these gene loci. The long-term wheat somatic embryogenesis capacity requires a more complex mechanism than the short-term one.Abbreviations CS Chinese Spring - Aq Aquila - E Embryogenic - NE Nonembryogenic - SC Subculture     

Improving in vitro induction of autopolyploidy in grapevine seedless cultivars

The efficiency of in vitro polyploidization depends on several variables associated to the plant, the antimicrotubule agent and the interactions between them. In the present work, we have used response-surface methodology to determine the best operating conditions for plant recovery in polyploidization assays for shoot apices and somatic embryos of two seedless grape cultivars, employing colchicine and oryzalin. Explant type, tubulin-interfering compound and concentration were the critical factors determining plant recovery. Linear reduction in viable plant regeneration via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis was obtained by increasing oryzalin concentrations and treatment time, whereas the effects of colchicine were better described by a quadratic design for both explants types. The conditions promoting higher rates of plant recovery were used in chromosome doubling experiments with oryzalin and colchicine for shoot apices and somatic embryos of ‘Crimson seedless’ and ‘BRS Clara’. The established protocols allowed the recovery of non-chimerical autotetraploid plants at rates higher than 30 % for both cultivars. Stomata size parameters statistically correlate to the ploidy level of the regenerants and were effective for preliminary polyploidy screening. Autotetraploid lines of seedless grapes were incorporated into the Vitis germplasm bank for further agronomical evaluations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of in vitro oryzalin induced polyploidization of grapevine and of the use of mathematical modeling to optimize chromosome doubling in plants.     

RAPD-based detection of genomic instability in soybean plants derived from somatic embryogenesis

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate genetic stability of regenerants of soybean plants obtained through somatic embryogenesis using 180 μM 2,4‐dichloro‐phenoxy acetic acid. Twenty primers were used to screen 44 regenerants from the cultivar ‘Spring’ and 28 from the cultivar ‘CAC‐1’. Three primers were polymorphic for two of the ‘Spring’‐derived regenerants, with a somaclonal frequency of 4.5%. Four primers were polymorphic for the ‘CAC’‐l‐derived regenerant, with a somaclonal frequency of 3.57%. The results indicate the usefulness of RAPD markers to detect genetic instability in soybean primary regenerant plants derived from somatic embryogenesis, and as a certification tool for monitoring genetic stability during the regeneration process.     

两种常用激素组合下棉花体细胞胚胎发生过程的组织学观察

 MSB培养基添加两种常用植物激素组合，Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + kinetin (KT)和2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) + KT，分别命名为IK和DK处理用来诱导陆地棉体细胞胚胎发生。陆地棉品系YZ1下胚轴切段作为外植体在诱导培养基上培养4周后，继代到分化培养基上促进体细胞胚胎发生。结果表明，两种处理均有体细胞胚胎发生，其中IK处理上外植体嫁接33 d后就可见体细胞胚出现，分化率高达97.6%，大多数外植体表现为体细胞胚较胚性愈伤早出现。DK处理中体细胞胚胎发生慢，体细胞胚都是经过明显的胚性愈伤发育而来，胚性愈伤分化率明显低于IK处理，仅为28.6%。此外，IK处理中的外植体在培养过程中大部分都出现了须根，而DK处理中则没有。两种处理中出现了两种不同的体细胞胚胎发生过程，组织学观察结果表明DK和IK处理中的体细胞胚分别主要起源于初生形成层和皮层。     

Effect of genotype and light intensity on somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The efficiency of 14 commercial cultivars of melon (Cucumis melo L.) for callus induction, plant regeneration and somatic embryogenesis under different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) (150 or 50μmol m^?2 s^?1) was investigated. Cotyledonal explants were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented either with 9.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 23.2μM kinetin or with 0.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.26 μM 6-benzyladenine for the induction of somatic embryogenesis and shoots, respectively. For embryo maturation and root induction, growing callus tissues were transferred on growth regulator-free MS medium. Both genotype and the intensity of light significantly affected the rate of somatic embryo-genesis, embryo maturation and plant regeneration. On average, 12–47 primary globular-stage embryos were produced per mm² of explant surface. Fully developed, cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos were obtained from only three cultivars. Relatively high root induction rates were observed both on the shoot induction medium (11 cultivars) and on growth regulator-free medium (seven cultivars). In contrast, only six cultivars responded positively to the shoot induction treatment. Callus growth and somatic embryogenesis were significantly improved if cultures were incubated under higher PPFD values, although plant regeneration from all cultivars was significantly reduced under the same conditions.     

Secondary somatic embryogenesis and applications in plant breeding

Summary Secondary somatic embryogenesis is the phenomenon whereby new somatic embryos are initiated from somatic embryos. Such cultures have been described in at least 80 Gymnosperm and Angiosperm species. In the initial step (primary somatic embryogenesis) such cultures have to be started from plant explants. In general, primary somatic embryogenesis from vegetative plant explants is, indirect and mostly driven by auxin (AUX) or auxin and cytokinin (AUX/CYT) supplemented media, whereas, from zygotic embryos it is direct and driven, to a larger extent, by CYT or growth regulator free media. Primary somatic embryogenesis from floral plant explants is between these two extremes. Indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis should be seen as two extremes of one continuum: in indirect somatic embryogenesis the embryos develop up to the (pre)-globular stage and in direct somatic embryogenesis to mature stages before they are subjected to secondary embryogenesis. In general, secondary embryogenesis requires no growth regulators in species with CYT driven primary embryogenesis. Whereas, continuous exposure to growth regulators is needed in species with CYT/AUX or AUX driven primary embryogenesis.In most species somatic embryos can be converted into shoots, although the frequencies are mostly low. In general, somatic embryos induced by growth regulator free or CYT supplemented media meet more difficulties in shoot development than embryos induced by AUX supplemented media. Applications of secondary somatic embryogenesis for plant breeding are discussed.     

In vitro tetraploid induction via colchicine treatment from diploid somatic embryos in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

A protocol for in vitro induction of tetraploids via colchicine-treated somatic embryos from immature zygotic embryos of diploid grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is reported. Embryogenic callus was initiated from immature zygotic embryos cultured on Nitsch and Nitsch (NN) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The callus was transferred to NN medium containing 1.0 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg/l benzyladenine (BA) to establish somatic embryogenesis. The vigorously growing globular embryos were selected and treated by 0, 10 or 20 mg/l colchicine for 1, 2 or 3 days, and then immediately transferred to NN medium supplemented with 0.03 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BA, for somatic embryo conversion and plant regeneration. The number of surviving embryos and regenerated plantlets following colchicine treatment decreased with increasing colchicine concentration and treatment time. Among 29 randomly investigated plantlets regenerated from colchicine-treated somatic embryos, five solid tetraploids (2n = 4× = 76) were identified by chromosome counting analysis; all others were diploid (2n = 2× = 38). Ploidy level of plant regenerated was also determined from leaves using flow cytometry. No chimeras with both 2C and 4C nuclei was produced from colchicine-treated somatic embryos. Significant differences in leaf stomata parameters were observed between diploid and induced tetraploid plantlets.     

Donor Plant Growth Conditions and Regeneration of Fertile Plants from Somatic Embryos Induced on Immature Zygotic Embryos of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Immature zygotic embryos of the sunflower inbred line ‘Ha 300’, cultivated on a modified MS medium containing 6-benzyladenine and a high amount of sucrose, regenerated fertile plants via direct somatic embryogenesis. Plant regeneration from immature sunflower embryos is generally characterized by a relatively high experimental variability resulting from the interactions of multiple factors. We present here a study of some of the factors acting on the donor plants and their influence on the capacity to regenerate plants. Repeated experiments during a 2-year period with greenhouse-grown as well as field-grown plants led to the following conclusions: (i) The use of pesticides, unavoidable in the greenhouse, is compatible with routine regeneration of fertile plants, (ii) The plant growth retardants tested were useful for the production of healthy plants in the greenhouse and had no effect on the regeneration capacity.     

棉花优良品种中棉所19高频体细胞胚胎发生细胞系筛选与植株再生

选用我国优良棉花品种中棉所19进行组织培养, 研究了该品种的体细胞胚胎发生和植株再生能力。 中棉所19的体细胞胚胎发生有两种情况： 一是由外植体直接诱导获得胚性愈伤组织和体细胞胚; 二是先诱导获得愈伤组织, 再经继代培养获得胚胎发生。 单独使用ZT可在早期诱导胚胎发生, 在该情况下, 对子叶的诱导能力最强, 胚根     

毛白杨PtAUX1超表达诱导体状胚发生

体状胚的发生由一个生长素信号级联系统控制,其发生过程需要大量的生长素,随后在去除生长素或降低生长素浓度的条件下,体状胚趋于成熟。除植物激素外,环境胁迫也是体状胚发生所必须的,激素和环境胁迫协同诱导细胞的脱分化、再分化和体状胚的发生。目前发现的参与体状胚发生的主要基因有SERK、PKL和BBM等,它们作用于体状胚的不同发育阶段。本研究中,在毛白杨35S::PtAUX1超表达植株中发现叶片表面产生大量体状胚,体状胚分散在叶片主脉及侧脉两侧或聚集在叶片边缘,其中部分体状胚可发育成成熟体状胚。将成熟体状胚取下,置于MS0培养基上进行培养,体状胚发芽并缓慢产生根。研究结果表明,PtAUX1通过建立新的生长素浓度梯度,诱导体细胞转化成胚性细胞,从而使叶片产生出体状胚。除上述基因外,PtAUX1也参与体状胚的发生,这一研究发现现尚未见报道。