Stage-specific responses of embryogenic carrot cell suspension cultures to arabinogalactan protein-binding β-glucosyl Yariv reagent

Abstract.

The arabinogalactan protein-binding β-d-glucosyl Yariv reagent (βGlcY) was applied to the various developmental stages of embryogenic carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Early Nantes) cell-suspension cultures. Roots without shoot structures were produced in cultures grown under embryo-inducing conditions in medium containing βGlcY. Only low concentrations of βGlcY permitted the subsequent production of embryos in these cultures. When early stage embryos were transferred to medium containing βGlcY, the roots elongated greatly while the shoot apices expanded radially. These embryos did not progress to the next developmental stage. Torpedo embryos and plantlets, however, showed an overall inhibition of growth in the presence of βGlcY. Developmental stage therefore appears to determine how cultures and embryos respond to βGlcY, root growth being promoted in the early stages, and overall growth reduced in the late stages.