Efficient plant regeneration of Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) via somatic embryogenesis

This report describes the efficient plant regeneration of Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb et Zucc. via somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic cultures were initiated from megagametophytes containing immature zygotic embryos. Embryogenic cultures were maintained and proliferated by 2–3-week interval subcultures in medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine. High maturation frequencies of cotyledonary embryos were obtained on maturation medium containing maltose, polyethylene glycol, activated charcoal, and abscisic acid. Somatic embryos germinated readily after transfer to plant growth regulator-free medium. Growth of regenerated emblings has been monitored in a greenhouse.     

Maturation and plant recovery from embryogenic cells of Japanese larch: Effect of abscisic acid in relation to their morphology

Two embryogenic cell lines characterized by different morphology and color, white and red, were obtained from an immature zygotic embryo of Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gord.). Mature somatic embryos with cotyledons and regenerated plants were obtained from both cell lines. However optimal concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) for maturation varied depending on morphology of ECs. From the white ECs which intermingled with somatic embryos of very early stage, mature somatic embryos were induced on maturation medium containing 50 μM of ABA. On the other hand, mature somatic embryos with cotyledons were observed from the red ECs which consisted of somatic embryos of more developed stage on hormone-free medium or 0.1 μM ABA containing-medium.     

Efficient embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration from embryonic axis explants inQuercus acutissima

Embryogenic callus ofQuercus acutissima was successfully induced from embryogenic cultures, and plants were regenerated from the callus. The development of the techniques involved will allow mass propagation and gene transformation in this species. Embryogenic cultures were formed from embryonic axis explants (i.e., embryos without cotyledons) excised from immature embryos, after culture on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing indolebutyric acid and benzyladenine. Attempts to induce embryogenic cultures from cotyledon explants were unsuccessful. Embryogenic calli were induced at high frequency from embryogenic cultures on MS medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. However, benzyladenine inhibited embryogenic callus formation. Somatic embryo development from embryogenic calli occurred on MS medium in all of the seven cell lines tested. Germination of somatic embryos was induced on half strength MS medium without plant growth regulators. Finally, acclimated plants growing in soil were obtained.     

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) somatic embryogenesis II. Maturation of somatic embryos and plant regeneration

Maturation of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) somatic embryos was achieved using two protocols, each starting with a different agar incubation step to deplete plant growth regulators (PGRs) used in previous cultural steps. Strength of maturation medium (single vs. double) was found important in the first protocol to develop normal, mature embryos. In the second protocol, abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations (0, 15 and 30 M) and carbohydrate sources were tested for embryo maturation. Thirty M ABA and 6% maltose were deemed the best combination. Embryo germination was accomplished in a continuously lighted environment and embryos receiving a cold pretreatment (4 °C in darkness for 16 days) germinated better than embryos which did not receive cold pretreatment. With a survival rate of 33% after acclimation in a mist system, more than 25 plants from somatic embryos have been established in a greenhouse. Incompletely germinated embryos (lacking roots) were rooted via adventitious rooting techniques and subsequently established in the greenhouse. All established plants obtained from somatic embryogenesis appear normal in morphology.     

Somatic embryogenesis in sawara cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis pisifera</Emphasis> Sieb. et Zucc.) for stable and efficient plant regeneration,propagation and protoplast culture

Somatic embryogenesis inChamaecyparis pisifera was initiated from immature seeds collected from the end of June to early July. We obtained initiation frequencies ranging from 12.5 to 33.3% using whole seed explants in liquid media. Embryogenic cultures were maintained and proliferated for more than a year in solid and liquid media. High maturation frequencies of ‘high quality’ embryos were obtained on maturation media containing abscisic acid (ABA), activated charcoal (AC), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as osmotic agent. More than one thousand cotyledonary embryos on average per 100 mg initial fresh weight of embryogenic cells were attained on medium containing 100μM ABA, 2 gL⁻¹ AC, and 150 gL⁻¹ PEG. About 97% germination frequencies and 92% plant conversion rates were achieved without any pretreatment. Growing of plants regenerated from somatic embryos has been monitored in the field. Furthermore, a procedure for culture of protoplasts isolated from embryonal masses was also described. This work was supported in part by the Japan Science and Technology Corporation and in part by a Grant for Research for the Future Program from the Japan Society for Promotion of Science.     

栓皮栎体胚的增殖、成熟和萌发

以栓皮栎实生苗叶片为外植体诱导体细胞胚胎发生,调查碳水化合物、渗透剂和植物生长调节剂对体胚增殖、成熟和萌发的影响,建立体胚增殖、成熟和萌发的培养基方案.叶片外植体在附加1.0 mg·L-1NAA和0.5mg·L-1BA的起始培养基上诱导形成前胚性团块.这些胚性团块在增殖培养基上培养6周,在附加1 mg·L-1BA、0.25 mg·L-1NAA和3%蔗糖的MS培养基上增殖效果最好.将单个体胚转接到成熟培养基上进行培养,蔗糖浓度对栓皮栎体胚成熟以及后续的萌发有显著影响.成熟培养基中附加5%的蔗糖,体胚成熟率和萌发率分别达到63.5%和33.8%.虽然在成熟培养基中附加ABA有利于体胚成熟,但对体胚的进一步萌发没有促进作用.为了提高萌发率,成熟体胚在附加植物生长调节剂的萌发培养基上进行培养,以及进行预冷处理.成熟体胚4℃冷处理没有促进胚根和上胚轴的发育萌发.在附加0.5 mg·L-1BA和0.25 mg·L-1 IBA的1/2 MS萌发培养基上,体胚萌发率达到65.9%,再生植株转化率达到9.4%.     

Influence of osmotic pressure on somatic embryo maturation in Pinus densiflora

The effect of an osmoticum, polyethylene glycol (PEG), on somatic embryo production was examined using embryogenic cells of Pinus densiflora. In the basal medium containing 30 μM abscisic acid and 6% maltose, the quality of the embryos formed was poor even though somatic embryos were produced. The addition of PEG with molecular weight of 4000 or 8000 significantly enhanced the development of both the quality and quantity of somatic embryos. Furthermore, higher levels of a constant osmotic pressure with PEG 8000 in a range from about 300 to 450 mmol/kg could remarkably enhance the morphogenesis of somatic embryos and their number of embryos produced. A higher stable osmotic pressure with an appropriate molecular weight of PEG is a key factor for the production of good quality somatic embryos in P. densiflora.     

脱落酸和玉米素结合使用对杂交鹅掌楸体胚分化及发育的影响

【目的】探讨了不同浓度脱落酸(ABA)和玉米素(ZT)处理对杂交鹅掌楸体胚发生发育的效应,为杂交鹅掌楸大规模繁殖技术的建立提供理论依据。【方法】以15-5202基因型的杂交鹅掌楸胚性愈伤组织为材料,比较在体胚分化阶段单独添加ABA以及同时添加ABA和ZT对体胚分化的影响;通过体胚发生数量统计、体胚生长状况观察等筛选出诱导效率高、体胚发育正常的体胚分化培养基。【结果】1)在体胚分化培养基中添加ABA对体胚的分化及成熟具有促进作用,添加0.5～1.5 mg·L^-1 ABA可加快体胚发育,且体胚形态正常;添加2.0～2.5 mg·L^-1 ABA时,虽使体胚分化率明显提高,但畸形胚比例增加;低浓度ABA处理30天后转入光培养2周体胚即可成熟;而未添加ABA处理的体胚在同样条件下未完全发育成熟,体胚呈白色、子叶淡黄色。2)在体胚分化培养基中同时添加ABA及ZT能提高体胚分化率及促进体胚发育; 2.0 mg·L^-1 ABA结合0.2～0.4 mg·L^-1 ZT处理后光培养2周,体胚形态发育正常,子叶分化明显,胚根健壮,生长状况较佳;未经过ZT处理的体胚生长发育较慢; ZT浓度高于0.6 mg·L^-1时体胚生长发育受到抑制,不利于体胚分化及成熟。【结论】在杂交鹅掌楸体胚分化培养基中添加2.0 mg·L^-1 ABA和0.2～0.4 mg·L^-1 ZT能够进一步提高体胚发生效率,促进体胚正常发育。     

Initiation of somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos of oocarpa pine (Pinus oocarpa Schiede ex Schlectendal)

The focus of the current project was to establish somatic embryogenesis protocols for the tropical pine species Pinus oocarpa using immature zygotic embryos (ZEs) as explants. Somatic embryogenesis is best supported by mimicking natural seed-embryo developmental conditions, through a tissue culture medium formulation based on the mineral content of the seed nutritive tissue [megagametophyte (MG)]. A novel culture medium (P. oocarpa medium, PO) was tested in combination with different plant growth regulator (PGR) concentrations and compared with standard Pinus taeda media for the initiation of somatic embryogenesis from immature ZEs of P. oocarpa. Immature MGs containing immature ZEs of two mother trees were used with 12 and 8% extrusion rates for mother tree genotypes 3 and 5, respectively. In both mother trees the percentage capture was 2%. Multiplication of two captured cell lines (T5C2S01 and T5C1S12) was improved by lowering the concentrations of PGRs to 2.5 μM each 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and abscisic acid (ABA) plus 1.0 μM each 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin. Mature somatic embryos formed on 40 μM ABA, 6% (w/v) maltose, 12% (w/v) PEG 8000 and 0.6% (w/v) Phytagel. While PO medium appeared suboptimal for somatic embryo induction, it did exhibit potential for enhanced culture proliferation and subsequent improved maturation with cell line T5C2S01, where microscopic analysis revealed better embryo morphology on PO medium than on 1250 medium. However, this enhancement was not observed with cell line T5C1S12. Germination was preceded by partial desiccation for a period of 2-3 weeks before transferring the embryos to germination medium. Germination was observed after 7 days under low light, and apical primordia slowly expanded after transfer to ex vitro conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of somatic seedlings in P. oocarpa.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration inAcanthopanax sciadophylloides

Somatic embryos ofAcanthopanax sciadophylloides Franch. et Sav. were differentiated from both zygotic and somatic embryos and calli, and plants were regenerated from these somatic embryos. A zygotic embryo, enclosed within a small portion of the endosperm, was incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various combinations (range 0–10.0 mg/l) of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). After 4 months, swelling of the zygotic embryos and callus formation was observed. When the swollen embryos were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of 2,4-D, somatic embryos were formed in one to two months. After subculture on the same medium, new embryos were differentiated from various parts of the older somatic embryos. The calli were cultured on medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l of 2,4-D and BAP for three weeks. Proliferated calli were transferred to medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l of 2,4-D and BAP. Somatic embryos were differentiated from the calli within one to two months. Somatic embryos were germinated on half-strength MS medium without plant growth regulators and the plantlets were grown in soil. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1995) & First Asia-Pacific Symposium on Forest Tree Genetic Improvement (Beijing).     

培养基成分对黑松体胚发育成熟的影响

【目的】对日本抗性黑松体细胞胚成熟的影响因子进行研究,探究各因素在体细胞胚发生过程中的作用,为进一步提高体细胞胚发生的质量和数量提供理论依据。【方法】胚性细胞团在固体增殖培养基上继代生长10天,使用灭菌(75%乙醇擦拭、紫外灭菌30 min)的电子天平称量1 g胚性细胞团,采用50 mL无菌量筒(紫外灭菌30 min)量取30 mL培养液中于100 mL的三角瓶中,将1 g胚性细胞团转至100 mL的三角瓶中,手动搅拌至细胞团分散,置于90 r·min^-1摇床上,25℃黑暗培养7～8天。随后,取3 mL沉淀悬浮细胞进行继代增殖,每星期继代增殖一次至胚性细胞全部均匀散落于培养液。将继代4次的胚性细胞充分摇匀,取2 mL(鲜质量约200 mg)胚性悬浮细胞喷洒在不同组分麦芽糖(30、45、60 g·L^-1)、脱落酸(ABA)(0、5、10、20、30、50 mg·L^-1)、聚乙二醇(PEG8000)(0、50、75、100、125、150 g·L^-1)、活性炭(AC)(1、2、3 g·L^-1)、琼脂(琼脂6、8、10、12 g·L^-1,植物凝胶2、2. 5、3、3. 5 g·L^-1)以及麦芽糖、ABA、PEG 3因素的组合固体成熟培养基上。【结果】以#1337为材料的体细胞胚成熟发育过程中,麦芽糖45 g·L^-1,获得的体细胞胚数量显著增多。ABA浓度为5～20 mg·L^-1,体细胞胚数量呈显著上升趋势,ABA为20 mg·L^-1时,获得的体细胞胚最多。125 g·L^-1PEG8000为体胚发生最佳浓度; AC 2 g·L^-1时,胚性细胞形成结构完整、数量较多的成熟体胚;成熟培养基中添加琼脂粉,培养基不能凝固,植物凝胶更适合作为成熟培养基凝固剂。3 g·L^-1植物凝胶为抗性黑松体胚发育成熟的最佳浓度。在设计的9种成熟培养基组合中(胚性细胞#1337、#1537、#1637),胚性细胞产生体细胞胚最多的成熟培养基组合为麦芽糖45 g·L^-1、ABA 10 mg·L^-1、PEG8000 125 g·L^-1。在不同的麦芽糖、ABA和PEG组合中,不同无性系生产体细胞胚数量呈现出不同的变化趋势:胚性细胞系#1337体胚发育成熟的最佳组合为麦芽糖45 g·L^-1+ABA 10 mg·L^-1+PEG 125 g·L^-1;#1537和#1637体胚发育成熟的最佳组合为麦芽糖30 g·L^-1+ABA 10 mg·L^-1+PEG 125 g·L^-1;在3个无性系中PEG的极差最大,对抗性黑松体细胞胚发育成熟的影响最大。【结论】抗性黑松体胚发育成熟过程中,麦芽糖45 g·L^-1、ABA20～30 mg·L^-1、PEG8000 125 g·L^-1、AC 2 g·L^-1和植物凝胶3 g·L^-1对体细胞胚成熟都具有促进作用。30 g·L^-1麦芽糖、10 mg·L^-1ABA、125 g·L^-1PEG为抗性黑松体胚发育成熟的最佳组合。     

High stability of nuclear microsatellite loci during the early stages of somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce

Somatic embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) differentiate from proembryogenic masses (PEMs), which are subject to autodestruction through programmed cell death. In PEMs, somatic embryo formation and activation of programmed cell death are interrelated processes. We sought to determine if activation of programmed cell death in PEMs is caused by genetic aberrations during somatic embryogenesis. Based on the finding that withdrawal of auxin and cytokinin induces programmed cell death in PEMs, 1-week-old cell suspensions were cultured in medium either with or without auxin and cytokinin and then transferred to maturation medium containing abscisic acid. We analyzed the stability of three nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) microsatellite markers at successive stages of somatic embryogenesis in two cell lines. There were no mutations at the SSR loci at any of the successive developmental stages from PEMs to cotyledonary embryos, irrespective of whether or not the proliferation medium in which cell suspensions had been cultured contained auxin or cytokinin. The morphologies of plants regenerated from the cultures were similar, although withdrawal of auxin and cytokinin significantly stimulated the yield of both embryos and plants. We conclude, therefore, that the high genetic stability of somatic embryos in Norway spruce is unaffected by the induction of programmed cell death caused by withdrawal of auxin and cytokinin.     

花曲柳体胚发生和植株再生

以花曲柳合子胚的单片子叶为外植体成功诱导出体胚并获得再生植株。未成熟合子胚的子叶在添加400mg·L-1水解酪蛋白、0.25mg·L-16-BA、1.5mg·L-1NAA、70g.L-1蔗糖和6g·L-1琼脂的MS1/2培养基上可以成功诱导产生体胚,诱导率达到34.7%,每个外植体上体胚数量为2～9个。成熟合子胚的子叶在添加0.25mg·L-16-BA、2mg·L-1NAA的MS1/2培养基(其他成分同上)上可以成功诱导产生体胚,诱导率为10.0%。体胚在MS1/2培养基上经过成熟培养后可以正常萌发,萌发率87.6%。萌发的体胚植株在MS1/2+0.01mg·L-1NAA培养基上生长较好,具备实生幼苗的外观特征。经炼苗后的体胚苗移植到栽培基质(草炭土:蛭石:珍珠岩体积比为5:4:1)中可以正常生长,成活率为75.0%。     

利用悬浮培养和培养基选择改善火炬松的体细胞胚胎发生和植株再生(英文)

三个基固型的火炬松成熟合子胚被培养在附加 8mg·L-12 ,4 D ,4mg·L-1BA ,4mg·L-1KT ,5 0 0mg·L-1水解酪蛋白和 5 0 0mg·L-1谷氨酰胺的愈伤组织诱导培养基上诱导愈伤组织 .来自于子叶、胚轴和胚根的愈伤组织在附加 1 6mg·L-12 ,4 D ,0 8mg·L-1BA和 0 8mg·L-1KT的愈伤组织增殖培养基上培养 9周后 ,可获得 16 9%的胚性愈伤组织 .通过建立胚性细胞悬浮系和研究ABA、PEG和活性炭对体细胞胚成熟的促进作用 ,优化的体细胞胚胎发生体系被建立 .71棵再生小苗被用于移栽试验 ,2 3棵小苗在田间移栽成活     

Changes in water status and proline and abscisic acid concentrations in developing somatic embryos of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) during maturation and germination

Somatic embryos of oak (Quercus robur L.) were matured on P24 media differing in gel strength (0.8, 0.9 and 1.0% (w/v) agar). Viscosity and osmotic potential (Psipi,medium) of the media were determined. Developing cotyledonary embryos were analyzed at maturity Stages I-III for water content, osmotic potential (Psipi,embryo) and concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) and proline. Proliferation of embryogenic tissue, germination rates and the number of embryos formed were also determined in order to relate embryo quality to physiological parameters. Viscosity increased with agar concentration, a phenomenon apparently related to water availability. Many Stage III embryos with high germination potentials were obtained on P24 medium containing 1.0% agar. Embryo water content decreased progressively from 94 to 80% during embryo maturation. Stage I and II embryos that matured on media containing 0.8 or 0.9% agar had similar values of Psipi,embryo, whereas Psipi,embryo of Stage III embryos that matured on medium containing 1.0% agar was significantly lower, although Psipi,medium was unaffected by gel strength. Stage III embryos showed a nearly 16-fold increase in proline concentration and a 50% decrease in ABA concentration compared with Stage I embryos. We conclude that tissue water status and a complex relationship between ABA and proline concentrations, modulated by medium gel strength, are important factors in the maturation process and the quality of oak somatic embryos.     

Zygotic and somatic embryo morphogenesis in Pinus pinaster: comparative histological and histochemical study

We compared morphogenesis and accumulation of storage proteins and starch in Pinus pinaster Ait. zygotic embryos with those in somatic embryos grown with different carbohydrate sources. The maturation medium for somatic embryos included 80 microM abscisic acid (ABA), 9 g l(-1) gellam gum and either glucose, sucrose or maltose at 44, 88, 175 or 263 mM in the presence or absence of 6% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 MW. Maturation medium containing 44 or 88 mM of a carbohydrate source produced only one or no cotyledonary somatic embryos per 0.6 g fresh mass of culture. The addition of PEG to the basal maturation medium resulted in a low yield of cotyledonary somatic embryos that generally showed incomplete development and anatomical abnormalities such as large intercellular spaces and large vacuoles. High concentrations of maltose also induced large intercellular spaces in the somatic embryonic cells, and 263 mM sucrose produced fewer and less developed cotyledonary somatic embryos compared with 175 mM sucrose, indicating that the effect of carbohydrate source is partially osmotic. Zygotic embryos had a lower dry mass than somatic embryos at the same stage of development. Starch granules followed a similar accumulation pattern in zygotic and somatic embryos. A low starch content was found in cotyledonary zygotic embryos and in somatic embryos developed in the presence of 175 mM maltose or 263 mM glucose. In zygotic embryos and in PEG-treated somatic embryos, protein bodies appeared later and were smaller and fewer than in well-developed somatic embryos grown without PEG. We propose that storage protein concentration might be a marker of embryo quality.     

Somatic embryogenesis and histological analysis from zygotic embryos in Vitis vinifera L. ＇Moldova＇

We examined the somatic embryogenesis from and histological studies of zygotic embryos of seeds in European Grape ＇Moldova＇ （Vitis vinifera U ＇Moldova＇）. Primary calli were initiated on Nitsch and Nitsch （NN） medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA. Embryogenic calli were produced upon transfer to a NN medium with 0.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA and 2 mg·L^-1 NAA and somatic embryos were obtained on a half strength MS medium without plant growth regulators. During the somatic embryo germination, an addition of 1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA in the medium could accelerate somatic embryos to develop into normal plants and increase the conversion rate from 0 to 43.3%. Histological studies of embryogenic calli and somatic embryos demonstrated dynamic changes of proteins and starch grains. The developmental processes of somatic embryos were similar to those of zygotic embryos, including typical epiderma, cotyledon primordium and vascular tissue.     

Thidiazuron-induced somatic embryos,their multiplication,maturation, and conversion in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum pauciflorum</Emphasis> Nees (Lauraceae)

Thidiazuron (TDZ) induced somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos in Cinnamomum pauciflorum Nees while 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) or picloram only induced callus and/or adventitious buds. The highest induction frequency for somatic embryogenesis was achieved with MS medium (Murashige and Skoog in Physiol Plant 15:473–497 1962) supplemented with 2.5 μM TDZ using torpedo-shaped embryos (3–5 mm in length) as explants. In addition, induction medium was supplemented with 0.8 g l⁻¹ casein, 0.4 g l⁻¹ glutamine, and 10 g l⁻¹ sucrose. Somatic embryos (SEs) initiated from root tips or hypocotyls without callus formation. SEs were maintained and multiplied via secondary somatic embryogenesis. Embryo maintenance medium was similar to induction medium except that TDZ was reduced to 0.5 μM. Secondary embryogenesis was enhanced by supplementation of 5 g l⁻¹ activated charcoal in the culture. The best medium for embryo maturation was MS medium containing 30 g l⁻¹ sucrose and 5 g l⁻¹ Phytagel without plant growth regulators. A typical mature SE consisted of two large cotyledons and a short embryo proper. Approximately 82% of selected mature SEs were able to germinate and 63% could convert into plantlets on germination medium that was composed of half strength MS medium salts, 10 g l⁻¹ sucrose, 3 g l⁻¹ Phytagel, and 5 g l⁻¹ activated charcoal.     

Organogenesis and embryogenesis in mature zygotic embryos of Picea sitchensis

Differentiation of adventitious buds and somatic embryos from mature zygotic embryos of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. is described. Adventitious buds were formed on embryos pulse-treated with 250 microM benzyladenine for 2 h and cultured on medium lacking growth regulators. Buds were initiated at different frequencies and sites depending on when the BA-pulsed embryos were transferred to fresh culture medium. Embryogenic callus was formed when the zygotic embryos were cultured on medium containing 10 microM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 5 microM benzyladenine. Although 50% of the embryos gave rise to embryogenic callus, only 20% of the callus continued to proliferate after subculture. Proliferation of new somatic embryos occurred from both the embryonic region and the suspensor region on previously formed somatic embryos. The pattern for development of adventitious buds and somatic embryos in Picea sitchensis is compared to that in Picea abies under similar culture conditions.     

Storage lipid dynamics in somatic embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies): histochemical and quantitative analyses

Adequate storage compounds are a prerequisite for successful development during the later stages of somatic embryogenesis; however, the critical amount of reserves below which somatic embryos fail to mature and germinate has not been determined. We analyzed storage lipids during Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) somatic embryogenesis. As maturation progressed, lipids, which were stored as lipid bodies in the cytoplasm, were localized first in suspensor cells of the early embryos, and later in the embryonic root pole, superficial layers of the hypocotyl and in cotyledons. The concentration of total lipids exhibited marked variation, with values peaking during cotyledon development and then decreasing during maturation. Linoleic (18:2), oleic (18:1), palmitic (16:0) and 5,9-octadecenic (5,9-18:2) acids were the most abundant fatty acids in embryos. As embryos developed, linoleic acid concentration increased slightly, whereas oleic acid concentration decreased. Oleic acid was the most prominent component of the fatty acid spectrum in isolated dormant zygotic embryos and megagametophytes. Addition of 5% polyethylene glycol to the medium during somatic embryo maturation caused a shift in the fatty acid spectrum toward that of zygotic embryos. During maturation, changes in the exogenous carbohydrate supply had no significant effect on total lipid concentration in mature embryos. A marked decrease in lipid concentration was detected during desiccation, indicating the importance of adequate lipid reserves during this developmental stage. The lipid content of zygotic embryos differed considerably with harvest year and location, suggesting that zygotic embryo data cannot be an indicator of somatic embryo quality.