Abstract
Euterpe edulis Martius is an endangered palm tree native to the Atlantic Forest. As it propagates only with seeds and does not tiller, the tree dies after its highly appreciated palm heart is harvested. In this study, we analyzed the embryogenic response of E. edulis with respect to maturity of the explant and concentration of picloram, an auxin mimetic. Immature fruits were harvested, and their seeds were extracted and germinated in vitro. After 2, 4, 6, and 8 months, the aerial parts of normal seedlings were excised and stem segments were used to induce somatic embryogenesis in the presence of 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 µM picloram. The number of proembryos, induction rate, explant mass, oxidation, global DNA methylation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, proline, polyamines, and ultrastructural analysis of cells were assessed. Six-month-old seedling explants achieved the highest number of proembryos and embryogenic induction rate at most picloram concentrations, as well as the highest 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid content, but lowest spermine and putrescine levels. Explants with somatic embryos exhibited lower DNA methylation levels than non-embryogenic calli. Proline content was highest in stem segments of younger seedlings (2-month-old). Despite being asynchronous, maturation with 5 µM abscisic acid was achieved. Therefore, 6-month-old E. edulis seedlings supplemented with 200 µM picloram could be used for ex situ conservation of this endangered species.
Key message
Six-month-old seedlings of the palm Euterpe edulis are the best source of explants for in vitro germination of this endangered species and, therefore, may contribute to its conservation.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo (FAPES) for research funding and Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing. In addition, the authors are grateful to the Carlos Alberto Redins Cellular Ultrastructure Multiuser Laboratory (LUCCAR) on behalf of Prof. Dr. Breno Valentim Nogueira.
Funding
This study was funded by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo (FAPES) (EDITAL FAPES/CNPq N° 05/2017—PRONEM—PROGRAMA DE APOIO A NÚCLEOS EMERGENTES). The agreement was registered with SICONV under n° 794009/2013, Process FAPES n° 72660945, and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (Finance code 308365/2019–4).
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Tamyris de Mello: Investigation, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. Tadeu Ériton Caliman Zanardo, Tatiane Dulcineia Silva, Joana Silva Costa, Débora Pellanda Fagundes, Caroline Palacio de Araujo, and Clovis Eduardo Nunes Hegedus: Investigation. Breno Benvindo do Anjos, Edilson Romais Schmildt, and Adésio Ferreira: Formal analysis. Marcia Flores da Silva Ferreira, José Carlos Lopes, and Wagner Campos Otoni: Supervision, Writing – review and editing. Rodrigo Sobreira Alexandre: Conceptualization, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing.
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de Mello, T., Zanardo, T.É.C., Silva, T.D. et al. Chronological age, changes in DNA methylation, and endogenous hormone levels of explants promote somatic embryogenesis of Euterpe edulis Martius. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 157, 38 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-024-02757-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-024-02757-x