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The role of auxins in somatic embryogenesis of Abies alba

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Biology

Abstract

The somatic embryogenesis of conifers is a process susceptible to exogenous phytohormonal treatments. We report the effects of the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and the auxin inhibitor p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (PCIB) on the endogenous level of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and on the anatomical composition of early somatic embryos of Abies alba (European silver fir). The embryogenic suspensor mass (ESM) of Abies alba proliferated on a medium supplemented by 2,4-D as well as on an auxin-free medium. The endogenous level of IAA was significantly higher in the ESM cultivated on a medium supplemented by 2,4-D. The decrease in the endogenous level of IAA in the first week of maturation is one of the most important stimuli responsible for the subsequent development of embryos. However, suppression of IAA synthesis by an auxin inhibitor did not stimulate the development of embryos. The maturation of somatic embryos from the globular to the cotyledonary stage occurs when the concentration of endogenous auxin in the ESM (including the embryos) increases. Early somatic embryos proliferating on a medium supplemented by auxin had an increased probability of maturing successfully. Exogenous auxin treatment during maturation did not compensate for the auxin deficiency during proliferation.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

abscisic acid

BAP:

6-benzylaminopurine, N6–benzyladenine

2,4-D:

2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid

ESM:

embryogenic suspensor mass

IAA:

indole-3-acetic acid

kin:

kinetin

PCIB:

p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid

PEG:

polyethylene glycol 4000

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, 165 02, Prague 6 — Lysolaje, Czech Republic

    Zuzana Vondráková, Kateřina Eliášová, Lucie Fischerová & Martin Vágner

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  1. Zuzana Vondráková
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  2. Kateřina Eliášová
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  3. Lucie Fischerová
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  4. Martin Vágner
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Correspondence to Zuzana Vondráková.

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Vondráková, Z., Eliášová, K., Fischerová, L. et al. The role of auxins in somatic embryogenesis of Abies alba . cent.eur.j.biol. 6, 587–596 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-011-0035-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-011-0035-7

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