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

There is currently considerable interest in developing techniques for producing somatic embryos from conifers. Somatic embryos could be used for micropropagation of trees with desirable characteristics such as improved dimension increment, better quality wood and disease resistance. The availability of somatic embryos would also provide excellent experimental material for basic studies of conifer embryo development. Finally, embryogenic callus and suspension cultures should facilitate the development of a protoplast regeneration system to be used in future genetic manipulation studies. The use of embryogenic material has previously proved successful for developing protoplast systems with other recalcitrant species (e.g. Vasil and Vasil 1986).

Somatic embryogenesis in conifers

Doubled Haploid Production in Crop Plants

Apically derived auxin has long been known to inhibit lateral bud growth, but since it appears not to enter the bud, it has been proposed that its inhibitory effect is mediated by a second messenger. Candidates include the plant hormones ethylene, cytokinin and abscisic acid. We have developed a new assay to study this phenomenon using the model plant Arabidopsis. The assay allows study of the effects of both apical and basal hormone applications on the growth of buds on excised nodal sections. We have shown that apical auxin can inhibit the growth of small buds, but larger buds were found to have lost competence to respond. We have used the assay with nodes from wild-type and hormone-signalling mutants to test the role of ethylene, cytokinin and abscisic acid in bud inhibition by apical auxin. Our data eliminate ethylene as a second messenger for auxin-mediated bud inhibition. Similarly, abscisic acid signalling is not to be required for auxin action, although basally applied abscisic can enhance inhibition by apical auxin and apically applied abscisic acid can reduce it. By contrast, basally applied cytokinin was found to release lateral buds from inhibition by apical auxin, while apically applied cytokinin dramatically increased the duration of inhibition. These results are consistent with cytokinin acting independently to regulate bud growth, rather than as a second messenger for auxin. However, in the absence of cytokinin-signalling mutants, a role for cytokinin as a second messenger for auxin cannot be ruled out.

The hormonal regulation of axillary bud growth in Arabidopsis.

Sexual reproduction in plants, unlike that of animals, requires the action of multicellular haploid gametophytes. The male gametophyte (pollen tube) is guided to a female gametophyte through diploid sporophytic cells in the pistil. While interactions between the pollen tube and diploid cells have been described, little is known about the intercellular recognition systems between the pollen tube and the female gametophyte. In particular, the mechanisms that enable only one pollen tube to interact with each female gametophyte, thereby preventing polysperm, are not understood. We isolated female gametophyte mutants named magatama (maa) from Arabidopsis thaliana by screening for siliques containing half the normal number of mature seeds. In maa1 and maa3 mutants, in which the development of the female gametophyte was delayed, pollen tube guidance was affected. Pollen tubes were directed to mutant female gametophytes, but they lost their way just before entering the micropyle and elongated in random directions. Moreover, the mutant female gametophytes attracted two pollen tubes at a high frequency. To explain the interaction between gametophytes, we propose a monogamy model in which a female gametophyte emits two attractants and prevents polyspermy. This prevention process by the female gametophyte could increase a plant's inclusive fitness by facilitating the fertilization of sibling female gametophytes. In addition, repulsion between pollen tubes might help prevent polyspermy. The reproductive isolations observed in interspecific crosses in Brassicaceae are also consistent with the monogamy model.

https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/71801/1/Shimizu%26Okada_Development2000.pdf

Attractive and repulsive interactions between female and male gametophytes in Arabidopsis pollen tube guidance.

1. Introduction. 2. Laboratory Organization and Equipment. 3. Media Preparation. 4. Collection, Sterilization, Excision and Culture. 5. Clonal Propagation. 6. Special Cultures. 7. Secondary Metabolite Production. 8. Pathology. 9. Nitrogen Fixation. 10. Storage of Cultures. 11. Genetic Modification. 12. Epilogue. 13. References. 14. Indices.

In Vitro Culture of Trees

Despite major advances in forest biotechnology, clonal regeneration by somatic embryogenesis or organogenesis is still difficult for many woody species and is often limited to the use of juvenile explants. Adventitious regeneration of plants from gymnosperms older than zygotic embryos, and frequently even from highly immature zygotic embryos, is often difficult or has not yet been achieved. A number of experimental approaches that could eventually lead to overcoming recalcitrance are suggested in this review. When cloning trees of various ages, it is important to determine first which part of the individual contains the most responsive cells and at what time of the year these cells are in the most responsive state. This allows selection of the most useful explants. In hardwood trees and a few gymnosperms, responsive tissues are found in root or stump sprouts and in tissues near the site of meiosis at about the time that meiosis takes place. Another potentially active area is the shoot apex with most or all of its leaf or needle primordia removed. Apomixis is a natural form of clonal regeneration but occurs naturally in only one gymnosperm species. As the genetic mechanism of apomixis has been in part elucidated, the induction of apomixis by experimental means may soon be possible. The cytoplasm plays a major role in the expression or repression of nuclear genes that control embryogenesis. Expression of nuclear genes can be manipulated by nuclear transfer into de-nucleated cells (e.g., the cytoplasm of egg cells). Cytoplasmic control also plays a role in regeneration by androgenesis, asymmetric cell division and cell isolation. A short overview is presented of the genetic mechanisms involved in embryo initiation, maturation and germination and how manipulation of these mechanisms by genetic transformation could help in overcoming recalcitrance. It is expected that rapid development in the fields of research areas discussed in this review will over time eliminate the problem of recalcitrance in many instances where it is currently prevalent.

Recalcitrance in clonal propagation, in particular of conifers

This review focuses on clonal propagation of mature trees by tissue culture. Most trees have marked phase changes that result in a decline in their potential for somatic embryogenesis or micropropagation. By altering conditions of the source material ex vitro, or by changing in vitro conditions encountered by the explant, rejuvenation and increased propagation can sometimes be accomplished. Various methods of enhancing micropropagation are reviewed, with particular emphasis on manipulations that involve application of osmotic, temperature or hormonal stress.

Influencing micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis in mature trees by manipulation of phase change, stress and culture environment

Diploid and haploid embryogenesis was induced in two Larix species (L. decidua and L. leptolepis) and their reciprocal hybrids. Diploid embryogenic tissue was initiated in immature zygotic embryos isolated with the micropylar half of the megagametophyte left attached. These were placed either on modified LM or MSG medium supplemented with the growth regulators 2,4-D and 6-benzyladenine. MSG medium was solidified with either gellan gum or agar. There was no appreciable difference in response between the two. Haploid embryogenesis was induced in isolated megagametophytes placed on modified LM medium supplemented with 2,4-D and 6-benzyladenine. Diploid embryogenic tissue was subcultured on medium with growth regulators, but haploid embryogenic tissue grew well on medium without growth regulators. There were few morphological differences between the diploid and haploid embryogenic tissue. In all species and hybrids, haploid cultures contained more coenocytic long cells. Binucleate cells were most common, but ...

Diploid and haploid embryogenesis in Larix leptolepis, L. decidua, and their reciprocal hybrids

Clonal propagation of trees old enough to have expressed their desirable characteristics is an effective means of rapidly obtaining improved planting stock. However, cloning of mature trees of conifer species is often difficult or impossible with present-day techniques. Therefore, specimens are often selected for clonal propagation when they are still too young for proper assesment. For many species such assesment is, at present, not possible until the trees have reached about half their rotation age (Namkoong et al. 1980). Because of this predicament, maximum benefit of clonal propagation cannot be expected until we find the appropriate means either to clone older trees or to determine at a young age what the trees will be like at the end of their rotation.

P. von Aderkas

Papers

In Vitro Culture of Trees

Recalcitrance in clonal propagation, in particular of conifers

Influencing micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis in mature trees by manipulation of phase change, stress and culture environment

Diploid and haploid embryogenesis in Larix leptolepis, L. decidua, and their reciprocal hybrids

Rejuvenation of Tissues from Mature Conifers and its Implications for Propagation in Vitro