Proliferation Of Embryogenic Tissue Research Articles

Effects of plant growth regulators and sucrose on proliferation and quality of embryogenic tissue in Picea pungens

Embryogenic tissue (ET) is important for genetic modification and plant re-generation. The proliferation ability and vigor of ET are crucial for plant propagation via somatic embryogenesis. In this study, ET was induced from mature zygotic embryos in blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.). There were significant differences in ET induction between two provenances, i.e. 78.8 ± 12.5% and 62.50 ± 12.8% respectively. Effects of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 6-Benzyl amino-purine (6-BA) and/or sucrose on ET proliferation and somatic embryo (SE) maturation were further investigated with four cell lines. The highest ET proliferation rate reached 1473.7 ± 556.0% biweekly. Concentrations of 2,4-D or 6-BA applied at tissue proliferation stage impacted SE maturation among the cell lines, whereas sucrose showed less effects. The highest rate, 408 ± 230 mature SEs/g FW, was achieved in SE maturation cultures. This research demonstrated that the culture conditions, i.e. the specific concentrations of 2,4-D and BA, at ET proliferation stage affected not only ET growth, but also the quality of ET for SE maturation. This study revealed the necessity and benefit in developing both the general and the genotype-specific protocols for efficient production of mature SEs, or somatic plants in blue spruce.

Norway spruce somatic embryogenesis benefits from proliferation of embryogenic tissues on filter discs and cold storage of cotyledonary embryos.

Vegetative propagation opens opportunities for the multiplication of elite tree progeny for forest regeneration material. For conifers such as Norway spruce (Picea abies) the most efficient vegetative propagation method is seed multiplication through somatic embryogenesis. Efficient culture methods are needed for somatic embryogenesis to be commercially viable. Compared to culturing as clumps, filter disc cultures can improve the proliferation of embryogenic tissue (ET) due to more even spread and better developmental synchronization. In this study, ET proliferation on filter discs was compared to proliferation as clumps. The study comprised 28 genotypes in four trials. The benefits of adding a pre-maturation step and the selection of fresh ET for the subculture were evaluated. Pre-maturation on hormone-free media before maturation did not significantly improve embryo yield but improved greenhouse survival from 69% to 80%, although there was high variation between lines. Filter disc cultivation of ET did result in better growth than in clumps but was more dependent on ET selection and the amount of ET than the clump cultivation method. Filter proliferation also favors certain lines. Post-maturation storage can be used to change the storage compound composition of the produced mature embryos. The embryo storage compound profile was analyzed after post-maturation cold storage treatments of 0, 4, 8, 31, and 61 weeks and compared to that of the zygotic embryos. Cold storage made the storage compound profile of somatic embryos closer to that of zygotic embryos, especially regarding the raffinose family oligosaccharides and storage proteins. Sucrose, hexose, and starch content remained higher in somatic embryos even through cold storage. Prolonged storage appeared less beneficial for embryos, some of which then seemed to spontaneously enter the germination process.

Suspension Culture and Somatic Embryogenesis of Korean Pine

Korean pine is an important afforestation tree species in Northeast China, which has a high ecological and economic value. Although regeneration of somatic embryogenesis using immature zygotic embryos of Korean pine as explants has been successful, it cannot be applied to automation and large-scale production. Therefore, we urgently need a method that can increase the output of somatic embryos (SEs) to meet the needs of large-scale production. We used Korean pine 1–1 and 1–100 cell lines as research materials to evaluate the effects of inoculum-density, culture time, orbiting speed, vessel volume, plant growth regulator (PGR) concentration, and carbon source on the proliferation of embryogenic tissue (ET). The somatic embryogenesis ability of ET cultured in different liquid suspension media was also evaluated. We found that during liquid suspension culture of Korean pine ET, the sedimented cell volume (SCV), fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) were affected by inoculum-density, culture time, orbiting speed, 2,4-D concentration, 6-BA concentration and carbon source type. Fourty mg ⋅ mL−1 ET were transferred to a 200 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 20 mL liquid medium, and cultured at 100 rpm/min for 14 days to obtain the maximum proliferation. In addition, we also found that SCV, FW and DW were higher when PGRs were reduced in the liquid suspension medium. The substitution of maltose for sucrose resulted in slow growth of cultures and limited SE yield (13 SEs g−1 FW). Although culture proliferation was high at 50 rpm, SE yield was inhibited by 48% compared with 100 rpm (50 rpm = 33 SEs g−1 FW; 100 rpm/min = 70 SEs g−1 FW). Cultivation in low-concentration PGR(1.15 μM ⋅ L−1 2,4-D, 0.25 μM ⋅ L−1 6-BA) and sucrose liquid medium at 100 rpm/min (80 SEs g−1 FW) could not only promote culture proliferation but also increase SE yield. The determination of the suspension culture scheme of Korean pine ET provides a reference for further expansion to bioreactor culture in the future and lays a foundation for the automation and scale of somatic embryogenesis of Korean pine.

Somatic Embryo Yield and Quality From Norway Spruce Embryogenic Tissue Proliferated in Suspension Culture.

Somatic embryogenesis is being piloted for the commercial production of genetically improved Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) forest regeneration material in Finland. The main challenge to making the process commercially relevant is the dependence on time-consuming and highly skilled manual labor. Automation and scaling up are needed to improve cost-effectiveness. Moving from the proliferation of embryogenic tissue on semisolid media to suspension cultures could improve process scalability. In a series of four experiments (overall, with 20 cell lines, 4–9 per experiment), the suitability of proliferation in suspension culture for Norway spruce somatic embryogenesis was evaluated based on the growth rate, indicators of stress conditions, good-quality cotyledonary embryo yield, and embling survival in a greenhouse. The proliferation rate in suspension was found equal to on semisolid media, but with a remarkable genotypic variation. Embryogenic tissue matured directly without pre-treatments from suspension onto semisolid media produced lower numbers of good-quality embryos than tissue matured from semisolid media. Rinsing the suspension-grown tissue with hormone-free liquid media before maturation improved embryo yield, bringing it closer to that of semisolid-grown tissue. Decreasing 6-benzylaminopurine and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentrations in suspension proliferation media to 0.5 or 0.1 times those in semisolid media did not affect tissue growth and did not improve embryo production. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and guaiacol peroxidase activity were elevated in suspension cultures compared with semisolid medium, which had the same plant growth regulator content. In one experiment out of four, the greenhouse survival of germinants was lower when proliferation was carried out in full strength suspension than on semisolid media; in other experiments the survival rates were equal.

Evaluation of somatic embryo production during embryogenic tissue proliferation stage using morphology, maternal genotype, proliferation rate and tissue age of Pinus thunbergii Parl

To determine the optimal embryogenic capacity (somatic embryo production) of the selected elite nematode-resistant genotypes of Pinus thunbergii, variables such as embryogenic tissue (ET) morphology, maternal genotype, proliferation rate and tissue age were analyzed. ET morphology and histological evaluation of the proliferation stage showed a decrease in filamentous clump and protuberant surfaces and a decline in the acetocarmine-staining area, which indicates a decrease in somatic embryo production (SEP). Variations in cell physiology during the proliferation stage showed that SEP was positively correlated with soluble sugars and proteins, but negatively correlated with starch, peroxidase, and superoxidase. In addition, SEP was significantly (p < 0.001) affected by maternal genotype, tissue age and proliferation rate. Moreover, SEP was positively correlated with proliferation rate (r = 0.98, p < 0.001), but negatively correlated with tissue age (r = − 0.95, p < 0.001). In general, the results suggest that SEP could be assessed in ET proliferation stages by the apparent cell morphology, histology, proliferation rate and tissue age, which provides novel insights for evaluating the ET maturation capacity (number of somatic embryos) during the proliferation stage of P. thunbergii somatic embryogenesis.

Different Roles of Auxins in Somatic Embryogenesis Efficiency in Two Picea Species.

The effects of auxins 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) or picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid; 9 µM) and cytokinin BA (benzyloadenine; 4.5 µM) applied in the early stages of somatic embryogenesis (SE) on specific stages of SE in Picea abies and P. omorika were investigated. The highest SE initiation frequency was obtained after 2,4-D application in P. omorika (22.00%) and picloram application in P. abies (10.48%). NAA treatment significantly promoted embryogenic tissue (ET) proliferation in P. abies, while 2,4-D treatment reduced it. This reduction was related to the oxidative stress level, which was lower with the presence of NAA in the proliferation medium and higher with the presence of 2,4-D. The reduced oxidative stress level after NAA treatment suggests that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acts as a signalling molecule and promotes ET proliferation. NAA and picloram in the proliferation medium decreased the further production and maturation of P. omorika somatic embryos compared with that under 2,4-D. The quality of the germinated P. abies embryos and their development into plantlets depended on the auxin type and were the highest in NAA-originated embryos. These results show that different auxin types can generate different physiological responses in plant materials during SE in both spruce species.

Dynamics of physiological and miRNA changes after long-term proliferation in somatic embryogenesis of Picea balfouriana

We found that embryogenic tissues of Picea balfouriana adopt different physiological pathways for long-term proliferation with 6-benzylaminopurine treatment and identified the miRNAs closely associated with proliferation. The long-term maintenance of somatic embryo production capacity in conifer embryogenic tissue (ET) is essential for the production of vigorous somatic seedlings. However, this ability is often lost after several months of proliferation in many conifer species including Picea balfouriana. Cytokinins are known to influence several important physiological processes during plant growth and development, including somatic embryogenesis (SE). In this study, we found that the 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) concentration influenced the yields of P. balfouriana somatic embryos and their germination response. Only ET of P. balfouriana proliferated on medium supplemented with 3.6 µM BA produced somatic embryos that germinated into normal plants. Most hormone levels increased in ET after prolonged proliferation. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities and polyamine contents were also significantly changed after 8 months of culture, which might be modulated by accumulated zeatin riboside (ZR). Finally, some selected microRNAs and their target genes were confirmed to be involved in the proliferation of ET of P. balfouriana and they also might be regulated by accumulated ZR. These findings may facilitate efforts to clarify basic physiological processes after the long-term proliferation stage of SE in conifers and delay the decreased production capacity of somatic embryos.

Simple and efficient protocols for the initiation and proliferation of embryogenic tissue of Douglas-fir

Key messageThis paper describes the micropropagation of Douglas-fir via somatic embryogenesis using media and methods available in the public domain.Douglas-fir is a conifer species with high and increasing interest for forest industries in both New Zealand and France. Delivery of the best trees to the forest from breeding programmes is currently constrained by an inability to effectively and reliably multiply selections through vegetative propagation. Somatic embryogenesis coupled with cryopreservation is essential biotechnology tool in conifers for scaling up variety design and production. The aim of this work was therefore to develop protocols for the initiation and proliferation of Douglas-fir embryogenic cell lines based on the modifications of previously published techniques and media available in the public domain, especially successful methods developed for P. radiata at Scion. Three years of initiation experiments have resulted in a simple and efficient protocol. Disinfection of whole cones (instead of seeds) was sufficient to prevent contamination. Immature zygotic embryos were excised from megagametophytes and placed onto a modified Litvay medium (Plant Cell Rep 4(6):325–328, 1985***). At optimal development stages of zygotic embryos, the average initiation percentage of embryogenic tissue was 69.3% when our most effective protocol was used. Proliferation of initiated cell lines on a Glitz formulation was challenging, with a high percentage of cell lines composed of a mixture of both embryonal masses and callus. 2,4-D at a lower concentration reduced the number of such mixed lines. Repeated liquid suspension and subculture of the embryogenic parts of the tissue was an efficient means to increase the number of embryogenic cell lines with sustained proliferation. Maltose added to the proliferation medium in place of sucrose improved fresh mass gain and consistently increased early somatic embryo patterning and growth. A sample of proliferating cell lines was successfully cryopreserved, thawed and somatic embryos were matured and germinated from these lines. The method may be of practical interest and provide new opportunities to realize increased genetic gain in this species through the clonal-assisted deployment of the best genetic material in both New Zealand and France.

Effect of tissue proliferation and somatic embryo induction inLarix kaempferifollowing treatment with organic nitrogen sources and plant growth regulators

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different types and concentrations of organic nitrogen sources (-Glutamine and casein hydrolysate, CH) and plant growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins) on embryogenic tissue proliferation and somatic embryo production in L. kaempferi. Overall, the highest tissue fresh weight was obtained at either 2 or 4 weeks in culture when 1,000 mg/L -Glutamine was added to the culture medium, which showed similar results with other treatments. In experiments with different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators on somatic embryo production, the highest production (426.3/90 mg tissue) was found when 0.2 mg/L IBA was added; however, no somatic embryos were induced following treatment with 0.2 mg/L BA or Kinetin. The effect of various concentrations of IBA on somatic embryo production was also tested. The best result (303/90 mg tissue) was obtained when plants were treated with 0.2 mg/L IBA; 1.0 mg/L IBA was also effective (281/90 mg tissue). The lowest result (109.3/90 mg tissue) was obtained with 5.0 mg/L IBA.

Enhancing initiation and proliferation in radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) somatic embryogenesis through seed family screening, zygotic embryo staging and media adjustments

In Pinus spp., initiation of somatic embryogenesis (SE) is influenced by the developmental stage of immature embryos, the genotype of the parent trees and the formulation of tissue culture medium. Optimizing all these factors can lead to improved initiation and proliferation response; however, few studies have focused on improving these stages. For this reason, the objectives of this research were to determine the best immature zygotic embryo developmental stage for initiation and to test the effect of different sources of organic nitrogen in the initiation and proliferation steps in Pinus radiata SE. We have determined and verified the optimum zygotic embryo developmental stages 2–4 for embryogenic tissue (ET) initiation and proliferation and identified the most responsive seed families in two consecutive years. Besides EDM (Walter et al. 1998), medium with high gellan gum content during ET proliferation maintained the embryogenic tissue in a better micro-morphological arrangement for a longer time.

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in Pinus heldreichii culture

The potential for somatic embryogenesis in zygotic embryo and megagametophyte cultures of Pinus heldreichii was examined. Somatic embryogenesis was initiated from megagametophytes containing immature zygotic embryos at early stages of development. An induction frequency of up to 6.7% was obtained on Gresshoff and Doy medium in the presence of 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg/l benzyladenine (BA). Formation and further proliferation of embryogenic tissue were achieved upon transfer of explants to a medium with reduced levels of growth regulators. Somatic embryos are being cultured for further development. .

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.

Evaluation of somatic embryogenesis for clonal propagation of western white pine

A multiyear program was undertaken to develop a somatic embryogenesis system for clonal propagation of western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.). Developing seeds were used to initiate embryogenic lines from families used in blister-rust (Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch.) resistance breeding programs in British Columbia. The most responsive seeds contained zygotic embryos ranging in development from late cleavage polyembryony to the early dominance stage. Overall, 14 of 15 open-pollinated families produced embryogenic lines. The best results (0.8-6.7% initiation) were obtained using modified Litvay medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) at 2.25 µM. Proliferation of embryogenic tissue was enhanced by culturing tissue as a thin layer on filter paper supports. Approximately 300 lines representing 18 open- and control-pollinated families were cryopreserved. The highest number of mature somatic embryos was obtained on maturation medium containing 120 µM abscisic acid, 180 mM sucrose, and 1.0% gellan gum. Of 61 lines tested on this medium, 77% produced mature somatic embryos. In vitro germination and early growth occurred at a high frequency (90-95%), and plants from 45 genotypes were subsequently transferred to a greenhouse.

Evaluation of somatic embryogenesis for clonal propagation of western white pine

A multiyear program was undertaken to develop a somatic embryogenesis system for clonal propagation of western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.). Developing seeds were used to initiate embryogenic lines from families used in blister-rust (Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch.) resistance breeding programs in British Columbia. The most responsive seeds contained zygotic embryos ranging in development from late cleavage polyembryony to the early dominance stage. Overall, 14 of 15 open-pollinated families produced embryogenic lines. The best results (0.8-6.7% initiation) were obtained using modified Litvay medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) at 2.25 µM. Proliferation of embryogenic tissue was enhanced by culturing tissue as a thin layer on filter paper supports. Approximately 300 lines representing 18 open- and control-pollinated families were cryopreserved. The highest number of mature somatic embryos was obtained on maturation medium containing 120 µM abscisic acid, 180 ...

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.)

Several factors that may affect induction of somatic embryogenesis in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were investigated in 1994 and 1995. Megagametophytes containing immature zygotic embryos were excised from seeds as explants. Potassium chloride, silver nitrate, myo-inositol, coconut water, or polyamine was added to the control media (U.S. patent no. 5,036,007) to determine the effects of each single ingredient or their combinations on the initiation of embryogenic tissue. Supplements of myo-inositol at 22.2 mM resulted in increases in frequencies of cell mass extrusion and proliferation compared with the control media in consecutive years. Addition of silver nitrate showed the potential to promote initiation of embryogenic culture. The combination of 10 mM potassium with 29.4 μM silver nitrate achieved the highest frequencies in both extrusion and proliferation of embryogenic tissue. The combination of silver nitrate at 29.4 μM with addition of myo-inositol at 11.1 or 22.2 mM achieved a higher conversion rate from extrusion to proliferation. Polyamine did not significantly affect the induction of somatic embryogenesis, but coconut water was inhibitory.

Effects of various partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide on different stages of somatic embryogenesis in Picea abies

Effects of various partial pressures of oxygen (5, 20 and 45 kPa) and carbon dioxide (0.03 and 6 kPa) on initiation, proliferation and maturation of somatic embryos in Picea abies were studied. The pO2 had a significant effect on the initiation of embryogenic tissue from mature zygotic embryos. However, the effect of pO2 was dependent on the strength of the basal medium. Low pO2 stimulated the formation of embryogenic tissue when the zygotic embryos were incubated on full strength medium, but was inhibitory when half-strength medium was used. Proliferation of embryogenic tissue was stimulated by higher partial pressures of both CO2 and O2. The effect of the gas phase on maturation of somatic embryos varied between different cell lines. However, there was a general tendency for 5 kPa O2 and 6 kPa CO2 to stimulate maturation.