Regulation of somatic embryo development in Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Abstract

Somatic embryos can be used for vegetative propagation of genetically superior material. Additionally, the system offers unique opportunities to study embryology. Somatic embryogenesis has been induced in many coniferous species and the process is similar between species. A common problem is, however, that not all embryogenic cell lines contain embryos that can mature. We are using Norway spruce (Picea abies) as a model system to study how the development of the conifer somatic embryo is regulated. Different cell lines contain embryos that have reached a specific developmental stage, which is reflected in the pattern of extracellular proteins and arabinogalactan proteins present. The embryo morphology is partially regulated by proteins. Proteins identified as having a putative regulatory effect on embryo development include chitinases, peroxidases, zeamatin-like proteins and arabinogalactan proteins.

Keywords

Norway spruce (Picea abies); somatic embryos; embryo development; extracellular proteins

Published in

Agronomie
1996, volume: 16, number: 10, pages: 603-608
Publisher: EDITIONS SCIENTIFIQUES MEDICALES ELSEVIER

SLU Authors

• Egertsdotter, Ulrika

  • Department of Forest Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Developmental Biology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/agro:19961002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79939