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Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus)

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Abstract

Cotyledonary segments from the germinated immature zygotic embryos were used for the somatic embryogenesis of red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus). The explants were established on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 5% sucrose and the combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and α-Naphthaleneacetic acid. All the treatments responded to callus induction with a 36–97% frequency range. The maximum embryogenic frequency (69.44%) was obtained when 0.1 mg/l BAP + 2 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/l BAP + 4 mg/l 2,4-D combinations were used. When the explants were treated with individual growth regulators, the maximum embryogenic frequency (58.33%) was produced by 4 mg/l 2,4-D. BAP was completely ineffective for somatic embryogenesis when used individually. The average number of globular-staged somatic embryos ranged between 1 and 5 (irrespective of the treatments). The maximum number of the cotyledonary-staged somatic embryos (2.85) was obtained with the treatment 0.1 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l 2,4-D. The maximum plantlets were developed (1.30) when the cotyledonary-staged embryos from 0.1 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l 2,4-D were transferred to MS basal medium. The plantlets obtained were acclimatized and showed 100% survival in the greenhouse condition. The embryonic cells have been histologically distinguished from non-embryonic cells with dense cytoplasm and a long suspensor. The induction, maturation, and germination of somatic embryos were challenging, suggesting the need for molecular approaches through proteomic expression for mass production and understanding of the evolution, structure, and genetic organization of the plant species.

Key message

2,4-D and NAA, individually or in combination with BAP, has a significant effect on the embryonic potential of cotyledon explant of P. santalinus.

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Data availability

Data will be made available by the corresponding author on reasonable reason request.

Abbreviations

2,4-D:

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

BAP:

6-Benzylaminopurine

MS:

Murashige and Skoog

NAA:

α-Naphthaleneacetic acid

PGR:

Plant growth regulator

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Acknowledgements

The financial support provided by SCIENCE & ENGINEERING RESEARCH BOARD (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for the major research project under a core research grant to Dr. Nasim Akhtar (Principal Investigator) and Dr. K. Viswanatha Chaitanya (Co-investigator) (sanction order no. CRG/2018/000517 dated 24.6.2019) is gratefully acknowledged.

Funding

Funding was provided by Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Grant No.: CRG/2018/000517).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Technology, GITAM Deemed to be University, Gandhi Nagar Campus, Rushikonda, Vishakapatnam, AP, 530 045, India

    Tanushree Chakraborty & Nasim Akhtar

  2. Departments of Microbiology and Food Science Technology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM Deemed to be University, Gandhi Nagar Campus, Rushikonda, Vishakapatnam, AP, 530 045, India

    K. Viswanatha Chaitanya

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  1. Tanushree Chakraborty
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The manuscript's concept, layout, and design are conceived by the corresponding author Dr. Nasim Akhtar. The whole manuscript, including the table and text, is developed, written and revised by the first author Tanushree Chakraborty. The manuscript was reviewed and edited several times by authors Dr. K. Viswanatha Chaitanya and Dr. Nasim Akhtar.

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Chakraborty, T., Chaitanya, K.V. & Akhtar, N. Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus). Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 153, 547–558 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-023-02491-w

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