Abstract
Summary The effects of the application of exogenous factors, such as osmotic condition and phytohormones, on the maturation of somatic embryos obtained from suspension cultures of maize were investigated. Mannitol in the proliferation medium was needed to keep the callus embryogenic rather than rhizogenic. In liquid culture a pre-maturation step with ABA added to the 2,4-D containing proliferation medium was beneficial. Both conditions promoted the formation of a meristematic layer at the outside of the callus. During the embryo maturation phase, which was dope on solid media, and can be characterized by the formation of meristems and a starchy scutellum and by the suppression of precocious germination, the percentage of calli showing embryo maturation, the nllmber of developing embryos per callus, the suppression of root development and of root growth was influenced by the combinations of sucrose, mannitol, L-proline, ABA and GA. The effect of mannitol differed from that of sucrose; both promoted embryogenesis, but sucrose in addition effected starch accumulation. L-proline counteracted mannitol, and stimulated embryo maturation in the presence of GA. The effect of ABA resembled that of sucrose, and GA counteracted ABA. The reported effects of these substances on in vitro behaviour will be of value in improving the frequency and uniformity of somatic embryo maturation, and therefore regeneration, in maize.
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