Summary
Embryogenic callus was induced from explanted pinnae of newly emerged leaves of mature plants ofCeratozamia mexicana var. Robusta (Gymnospermae, Cycadales) on a modified B5 formulation with 1 mg·liter−1 kinetin and 1 mg·liter−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Proembryos developed on induction medium, but they were more numerous after subculture onto phytohormone-free medium, which also enabled suspensors to elongate. For nearly 1.5 yr after explanting, subsequent development of somatic embryos was not observed as suspensors dedifferentiated to form embryogenic callus on phytohormone-free medium. After this time, cotyledonary somatic embryos developed at the distal end of the suspensors. Somatic embryos have germinated on phytohormone-free medium. This is the first report of regeneration by somatic embryogenesis of a gymnosperm species from a mature tree. This technique has great potential for preservation of the highly endangered cycads.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ball, E. A. Tissue culture multiplication of Sequoia. In: Bonga, J. M.; Durzan, D. J., eds. Cell and tissue culture in forestry, vol. 3. Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff; 1987:146–158.
Ball, E. A.; Morris, D. M.; Rydelius, J. A. Cloning ofSequoia sempervirens from mature trees through tissue culture. In: In vitro multiplication of woody species. Gembloux: Centre de Recherches Agronomiques de l’Etat; 1978:181–226.
Bonga, J. M. Organogenesis in vitro of tissues from mature conifers. In Vitro 17:511–518; 1981.
Bonga, J. M. Shoot formation in callus from the stalks of young female strobili ofLarix decidua. Can. J. Bot. 60:1357–1359; 1982.
Bonga, J. M. In vitro propagation of conifers. In: Zsuffa, L.; Rauter, R. M.; Yeatman, C. W., eds. Clonal forestry: its impact on forest tree improvement and our future forests. Toronto: Canadian Tree Improvement Association, Proceedings of the 19th Meeting part 2. 1983:75–83.
Bonga, J. M. Clonal propagation of mature trees, problems and possible solutions. In: Bonga, J. M.; Durzan, D. J., eds. Cell and tissue culture in forestry, vol. 1. Dordrecht. Martinus Nijhoff; 1987:249–271.
Chamberlain, C. J. Gymnosperms, structure and evolution. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 1957.
Chavez, V. M.; Litz, R. E.; Norstog, K. In vitro regeneration ofCeratozamia hildae andC. mexicana from megagametophytes and zygotic embryos. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult. In press; 1992.
DeLuca, P.; Moretti, A.; Sabato, S. Regeneration in megagametophytes of cycads. G. Bot. Ital. 113:143–229; 1979.
Gamborg, O. L.; Miller, R. A.; Ojima, K. Nutrient requirements of suspension cultures of soybean root cells. Exp. Cell Res. 50:151–158; 1968.
Hakman, I.; Fowke, L. C.; von Arnold, S., et al. The development of somatic embryos in tissue cultures initiated from immature embryos ofPicea abies (Norway spruce). Plant Sci. 38:53–59; 1985.
La Rue, C. D. Regeneration in the megagametophyte ofZamia floridana. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 75:597–603; 1948.
La Rue, C. D. Studies on the growth and regeneration in gametophytes and sporophytes of gymnosperms. Brookhaven Natl. Lab. Symp. 6:187–208; 1954.
Murashige, T.; Skoog, F. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue culture. Plant Physiol. 15:473–497; 1962.
Nagmani, R.; Bonga, J. M., et al. Embryogenesis in subcultured callus ofLarix decidua. Can. J. For. Res. 15:1088–1091; 1985.
Norstog, K. Induction of apogamy in megagametophytes ofZamia integrifolia. Am. J. Bot. 52:993–999; 1965.
Norstog, K. Experimental embryology of gymnosperms. In: Johri, B. M., ed. Experimental embryology of vascular plants. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1982:25–51.
Norstog, K. Cycads and the origin of insect pollination. Am. Sci. 75:270–279; 1987.
Norstog, K.; Rhamstine, E. Isolation and culture of haploid and diploid cycad tissues. Phytomorphology 17:374–381; 1967.
Von Arnold, S.; Hakman, I. Regulation of somatic embryo development inPicea abies by abscisic acid (ABA). J. Plant Physiol. 132:164–169; 1988.
Webb, D. T.; Osborn, R. Cycads. In: Bajaj, Y. P. S., ed. Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry 5 trees II, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag; 1989:591–613.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chavez, V.M., Litz, R.E., Moon, P.A. et al. Somatic embryogenesis from leaf callus of mature plants of the gymnospermCeratozamia mexicana var. robusta (Miq.) dyer (Cycadales). In Vitro Cell Dev Biol –Plant 28, 59–63 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02823019
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02823019