Synthetic seed technology requires the inexpensive production of large numbers of high-quality somatic embryos. Proliferating embryogenic cultures from conifers consist of immature embryos, which undergo synchronous maturation in the presence of abscisic acid and elevated osmoticum. Improvements in conifer somatic embryo quality have been achieved by identifying the conditions in vitro that resemble the conditions during in ovulo development of zygotic embryos. One normal aspect of zygotic embryo development for conifers is maturation drying, which allows seeds to be stored and promotes normal germination. Conditions of culture are described that yield mature conifer somatic embryos that possess normal storage proteins and fatty acids and which survive either partial drying, or full drying to moisture contents similar to those achieved by mature dehydrated zygotic embryos. Large numbers of quiescent somatic embryos can be produced throughout the year and stored for germination in the spring, which simplifies production and provides plants of uniform size. This review focuses on recent advances in conifer somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed technology, particularly in areas of embryo development, maturation drying, encapsulation and germination. Comparisons of conifer embryogeny are made with other gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Embryogeny of gymnosperms: advances in synthetic seed technology of conifers

Somatic embryogenesis is the formation of an embryo from a cell other than a gamete or the product of gametic fusion This is not an artificial phenomenon, and is known in nature as a form of apomixis called adventitious embryony, first described by Strasburger in 1878 [1] (see Sharma and Thorpe, this volume) Although Steward [2] and Reinert [3] are generally given credit for the first descriptions of somatic embryogenesis in 1958, such credit might more properly belong to Levine [4], who in 1947 reported the recovery of carrot “seedlings” from tissues exposed to low levels of α-naphthaleneacetic acid, via a process whose description sounds very much like somatic embryogenesis

Morphogenic Aspects of Somatic Embryogenesis

Somatic embryogenesis of coniferous species was first reported more than 20 years ago. Since then, there has been an explosion of research aimed at developing and optimizing protocols for efficient regeneration of plantlets. Although routinely used both as a means of propagation, as well as a valuable model system for investigating the structural, physiological, and molecular events occurring during embryo development, in vitro embryogenesis is still problematic for some coniferous species. Major problems include: low number of embryos generated; and low frequency of mature embryos able to convert into viable plantlets. Until recent years, despite the fact that embryogenesis is comprised of a sequence of defined steps which include proliferation of embryogenic tissue, embryo maturation, and germination, attempts at improving the whole procedure have been made almost exclusively during the maturation stage. This strategy was based on the assumption that successful regeneration is related to treatments provided during the development of the embryos. Major optimizations of the maturation medium have involved judicious selections of type and concentration of growth regulators, namely abscisic acid, and adjustments of the osmoticum of the culture medium. Extensive work has been conducted in defining the effects of plasmolysing and non-plasmolysing osmoticum agents during maturation, as well as in improving desiccation techniques required for the completion of the maturation program. In the last 2 years, however, work on spruce has clearly demonstrated that the early events in embryogenesis are crucial for the successful completion of the overall embryogenic program. The use of cell tracking techniques, implemented by physiological and molecular studies, has revealed that manipulations of the culture conditions early in the process can increase both number and quality of embryos produced in culture. Additional manipulations of the germination medium can also enhance germination and conversion frequency of somatic embryos matured in a sub-optimal environment. These new findings, together with the unraveling of molecular mechanisms involved in the control/regulation of embryo development hold considerable promise for clonal propagation in conifers.

Recent advances in conifer somatic embryogenesis: improving somatic embryo quality

The usefulness of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) in assessing the genetic stability of somatic embryogenesis-derived populations of black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.] was evaluated. Three arbitrary 11-mer primers were successfully used to amplify DNA from both in-vivo and in-vitro material. Twenty-five embryogenic cell lines, additional zygotic embryos and megagametophytes from three controlled crosses involving four selected genotypes of black spruce were used for the segregation analysis of RAPD variants. Ten markers were genetically characterized and used to evaluate the genetic stability of somatic embryos derived from three embryogenic cell lines (one cell line per cross, 30 somatic embryos per cell line). No variation was detected within clones. The utilization of RAPD markers both for the assessment of genetic stability of clonal materials and to certify genetic stability throughout the process of somatic embryogenesis is discussed.

RAPDs as an aid to evaluate the genetic integrity of somatic embryogenesis-derived populations of Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.

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.

Secondary somatic embryogenesis and applications in plant breeding.

Different carbohydrates were investigated for somatic embryo development of black spruce and red spruce. They were tested in a basal maturation medium consisting of Litvay's salts at half-strength containing 1 g l-1 glutamine, 1 g l-1 casein hydrolysate, 7.5 μM abscisic acid, and 0.9% Difco Bacto-agar. A comparison of different sucrose concentrations showed that 6% was optimal for embryo development. Among the nine carbohydrates tested, sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, and cellobiose supported embryo development while arabinose, mannitol, myo-inositol, and sorbitol did not. A comparison of sucrose, glucose, and fructose at three concentrations showed that the general pattern of response for both species followed concentration expressed as a percentage, independent of the molarity of carbohydrate in the medium. Interspecific differences were observed concerning carbohydrate requirements. For red spruce, 6% fructose was found best for embryo development, while no such preference was observed for black spruce. No significant difference was observed in the number of embryos produced with 6% sucrose or 3% sucrose plus an equimolar concentration of either mannitol, sorbitol, or myo-inositol in the maturation medium, suggesting that the effect of the carbohydrate on the maturation was partly osmotic.

Carbohydrate requirements for the development of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and red spruce (P. rubens Sarg.) somatic embryos

Effects of gelling agents, ammonium nitrate, and light on the development of Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P. (black spruce) and Picea rubens Sarg. (red spruce) somatic embryos

Francine M. Tremblay

Papers

Carbohydrate requirements for the development of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and red spruce (P. rubens Sarg.) somatic embryos

Effects of gelling agents, ammonium nitrate, and light on the development of Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P. (black spruce) and Picea rubens Sarg. (red spruce) somatic embryos