Skip to main content

Participation of Plant Hormones in Determination and Progression of Somatic Embryogenesis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Somatic Embryogenesis

Part of the book series: Plant Cell Monographs ((CELLMONO,volume 2))

Abstract

In vitro culture protocols have been developed for many species, mainly using empirical approaches, to induce somatic embryogenesis from various explant types. However, the underlying biochemical mechanisms governing induction, expression and maturation during somatic embryogenesis are still poorly understood. Among the signals that participate directly in the regulation of the different phases of this process, plant hormones emerged as candidates of choice. In this chapter, studies concerning the role of exogenously added plant growth regulators in somatic embryogenesis are reviewed. In addition, we discuss possible relationships between hormonal contents in starting explants and in cultures derived from them with their embryogenic competence. Moreover, information on evolution of endogenous plant hormone levels during induction and progression of somatic embryogenesis is presented. Finally, an overview of interactions between exogenous plant growth regulators and endogenous hormones in embryogenic systems is also included.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Abbreviations

2,4-D:

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

ABA:

Abscisic acid

CK:

Cytokinin

E:

Embryogenic

GA:

Gibberellin

GA3 :

Gibberellic acid

IAA:

Indole-3-acetic acid

IBA:

Indole-3-butyric acid

NAA:

Naphthalene acetic acid

NE:

Nonembryogenic

PGR:

Plant growth regulator

PAT:

Polar auxin transport

SE:

Somatic embryogenesis

TIBA:

2,3,4-Triiodobenzoic acid

References

  1. Aloni R, Schwalm K, Langhans M, Ullrich CI (2003) Gradual shifts in sites of free-auxin production during leaf-primordium development and their role in vascular differentiation and leaf morphogenesis in Arabidopsis. Planta 216:841–853

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bell LM, Trigiano RN, Conger BV (1993) Relationship of abscisic acid to somatic embryogenesis in Dactylis glomerata. Environ Exp Bot 33:495–499

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Besse I, Verdeil JL, Duval Y, Sotta B, Maldiney R, Miginiac E (1992) Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) clonal fidelity: endogenous cytokinins and indoleacetic acid in embryogenic callus cultures. J Exp Bot 43:983–989

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bronner R, Jeannin G, Hahne G (1994) Early cellular events during organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis induced on immature zygotic embryos of sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Can J Bot 72:239–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ceccarelli N, Mondin A, Lorenzi R, Picciarelli P, Lo Schiavo F (2002) The metabolic basis for 2,4-D resistance in two variant cell lines of carrot. Funct Plant Biol 29:575–583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Centeno ML, Rodríguez R, Berros B, Rodríguez A (1997) Endogenous hormonal content and somatic embryogenic capacity of Corylus avellana L. cotyledons. Plant Cell Rep 17:139–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Charrière F, Hahne G (1998) Induction of embryogenesis versus caulogenesis on in vitro cultured sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) immature zygotic embryos: role of plant growth regulators. Plant Sci 137:63–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Charrière F, Sotta B, Miginiac É, Hahne G (1999) Induction of adventitious shoots or somatic embryos on in vitro cultured zygotic embryos of Helianthus annuus: variation of endogenous hormone levels. Plant Physiol Biochem 37:751–757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cooke TJ, Racusen RH, Cohen JD (1993) The role of auxin in plant embryogenesis. Plant Cell 5:1494–1495

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Danin M, Upfold SJ, Levin N, Nadel BL, Altman A, van Staden J (1993) Polyamines and cytokinins in celery embryogenic cell cultures. Plant Growth Regul 12:245–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Davies PJ (1995) The plant hormones: their nature, occurrence, and functions. In: Davies PJ (ed) Plant hormones: physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, 2nd edn. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  12. Dodeman VL, Ducreux G (1996) Total protein pattern expression during induction and development of carrot somatic embryos. Plant Sci 120:57–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Dong J-Z, Dunstan DI (2000) Molecular biology of somatic embryogenesis in conifers. In: Jain SM, Minocha SC (eds) Molecular biology of woody plants, vol 1. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 51–87

    Google Scholar 

  14. Dudits D, Györgyey J, Bögre L, Bakó L (1995) Molecular biology of somatic embryogenesis. In: Thorpe TA (ed) In vitro embryogenesis in plants. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 276–308

    Google Scholar 

  15. Etienne H, Sotta B, Montoro P, Miginiac E, Carron MP (1993) Relation between exogenous growth regulators and endogenous indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid in the expression of somatic embryogenesis in Hevea brasiliensis (Müll. Arg.). Plant Sci 88:91–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Fehér A, Pasternak TP, Dudits D (2003) Transition of somatic plant cells to an embryogenic state. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 74:201–228

    Google Scholar 

  17. Feinberg AA, Choi JH, Lubich WP, Sung ZR (1984) Developmental regulation of polyamine metabolism in growth and differentiation of carrot culture. Planta 162:532–539

    Google Scholar 

  18. Fernández H, Pérez C, Sánchez-Tamés R (2000) Modulation of the morphogenic potential of the embryonic axis of Juglans regia by cultural conditions. Plant Growth Regul 30:125–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Finkelstein RR, Tenbarge KM, Shumway JE, Crouch ML (1985) Role of ABA in maturation of rapeseed embryos. Plant Physiol 78:630–636

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Fischer C, Neuhaus G (1996) Influence of auxin on the establishment of bilateral symmetry in monocots. Plant J 9:659–669

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Fujimura T, Komamine A (1975) Effects of various growth regulators on the embryogenesis in a carrot cell suspension culture. Plant Sci Lett 5:359–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Fujimura T, Komamine A (1979) Involvement of endogenous auxin in somatic embryogenesis in a carrot cell suspension culture. Z Pflanzenphysiol 95:13–19

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gaj MD (2004) Factors influencing somatic embryogenesis induction and plant regeneration with particular reference to Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Plant Growth Regul 43:27–47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Gaspar T, Kevers C, Faivre-Rampant O, Crèvecoeur M, Penel C, Greppin H, Dommes J (2003) Changing concepts in plant hormone action. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Plant 39:85–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Gazzarrini S, McCourt P (2003) Cross-talk in plant hormone signaling: what arabidopsis mutants are telling us. Ann Bot 91:605–612

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Guiderdoni E, Mérot B, Eksomtramage T, Paulet F, Feldmann P, Glaszmann JC (1995) Somatic embryogenesis in sugarcane (Saccharum species). In: Bajaj YPS (ed) Somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed I. Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry, vol 31. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 92–113

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hita O, Lafarga C, Guerra H (1997) Somatic embryogenesis from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) immature cotyledons: the effect of zeatin, gibberellic acid and indole-3-butyric acid. Acta Physiol Plant 19:333–338

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Huang LVT, Takamura T, Tanaka M (2004) Callus formation and plant regeneration from callus through somatic embryo structures in Cymbidium orchid. Plant Sci 166:1443–1449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hutchinson MJ, KrishnaRaj S, Saxena PK (1997) Inhibitory effect of GA3on the development of thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis in geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) hypocotyl cultures. Plant Cell Rep 16:435–438

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Iantcheva A, Vlahova M, Bakalova E, Kondorosi E, Elliott MC, Atanassov A (1999) Regeneration of diploid annual medics via direct somatic embryogenesis promoted by thidiazuron and benzylaminopurine. Plant Cell Rep 18:904–910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ivanova A, Velcheva M, Denchev P, Atanassov A, Van Onckelen HA (1994) Endogenous hormone levels during direct somatic embryogenesis in Medicago falcata. Physiol Plant 92:85–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Jiménez VM (2001) Regulation of in vitro somatic embryogenesis with emphasis on the role of endogenous hormones. Rev Bras Fisiol Veg 13:196–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Jiménez VM, Bangerth F (2001a) Endogenous hormone levels in initial explants and in embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus cultures of competent and non-competent wheat genotypes. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 67:37–46

    Google Scholar 

  34. Jiménez VM, Bangerth F (2001b) Hormonal status of maize initial explants and of the embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus cultures derived from them as related to morphogenesis in vitro. Plant Sci 160:247–257

    Google Scholar 

  35. Jiménez VM, Bangerth F (2001c) In vitro culture and endogenous hormone levels in immature zygotic embryos, endosperm and callus cultures of normal and high-lysine barley genotypes. J Appl Bot 75:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  36. Jiménez VM, Guevara E, Herrera J, Bangerth F (2001) Endogenous hormone levels in habituated nucellar Citrus callus during the initial stages of regeneration. Plant Cell Rep 20:92–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Jiménez VM, Guevara E, Herrera J, Bangerth F (2005) Evolution of endogenous hormone concentration in embryogenic cultures of carrot during early expression of somatic embryogenesis. Plant Cell Rep 23:567–572

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Kakkar RK, Sawhney VK (2002) Polyamine research in plants–-a changing perspective. Physiol Plant 116:281–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Kamada H, Harada H (1981) Changes in the endogenous level and effects of abscisic acid during somatic embryogenesis of Daucus carota L. Plant Cell Physiol 22:1423–1429

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Kermode AR, Dumbroff EB, Bewley JD (1989) The role of maturation drying in the transition from seed development to germination. VII. Effects of partial and complete desiccation on abscisic acid levels and sensitivity in Ricinus communis L. seeds. J Exp Bot 40:303–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kochba J, Spiegel-Roy P, Neumann H, Saad S (1978) Stimulation of embryogenesis in citrus ovular callus by ABA, Ethephon, CCC and Alar and its suppression by GA3. Z Pflanzenphysiol 89:427–432

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Kong L, Yeung EC (1994) Effects of ethylene and ethylene inhibitors on white spruce somatic embryo maturation. Plant Sci 104:71–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Kopertekh LG, Butenko RG (1995) Naturally occurring phytohormones in wheat explants as related to wheat morphogenesis in vitro. Russ J Plant Physiol 42:488–491

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Li XQ, Demarly Y (1996) Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Medicago suffruticosa. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 44:79–81

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Limanton-Grevet A, Sotta B, Brown S, Jullien M (2000) Analysis of habituated embryogenic lines in Asparagus officinalis L.: growth characteristics, hormone content and ploidy level of calli and regenerated plants. Plant Sci 160:15–26

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Liu C-M, Xu ZH, Chua N-H (1993) Auxin polar transport is essential for the establishment of bilateral symmetry during early plant embryogenesis. Plant Cell 5:621–630

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Liu Z-H, Wang W-C, Yen Y-S (1998) Effect of hormone treatment on root formation and endogenous indole-3-acetic acid and polyamine levels of Glycine max cultivated in vitro. Bot Bull Acad Sin 39:113–118

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Mauri PV, Manzanera JA (2004) Effect of abscisic acid and stratification on somatic embryo maturation and germination of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.). In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Plant 40:495–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Merkle SA, Parrott WA, Flinn BS (1995) Morphogenic aspects of somatic embryogenesis. In: Thorpe TA (ed) In vitro embryogenesis in plants. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 155–203

    Google Scholar 

  50. Michalczuk L, Cooke TJ, Cohen JD (1992a) Auxin levels at different stages of carrot embryogenesis. Phytochemistry 31:1097–1103

    Google Scholar 

  51. Michalczuk L, Ribnicky DM, Cooke TJ, Cohen JD (1992b) Regulation of indole-3-acetic acid biosynthetic pathways in carrot cell cultures. Plant Physiol 100:1346–1353

    Google Scholar 

  52. Minocha SC, Minocha R (1995) Role of polyamines in somatic embryogenesis. In: Bajaj YPS (ed) Somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed I. Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry, vol 30. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 53–70

    Google Scholar 

  53. Minocha R, Minocha SC, Long S (2004) Polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes during somatic embryo development in red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.). In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Plant 40:572–580

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Mitsuhashi W, Toyomasu T, Masui H, Katho T, Nakaminami K, Kashiwagi Y, Akutsu M, Kenmoku H, Sassa T, Yamaguchi S, Kamiya Y, Kamada H (2003) Gibberellin is essentially required for carrot (Daucus carota L.) somatic embryogenesis: dynamic regulation of gibberellin 3-oxidase gene expression. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 67:2438–2447

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Moctezuma E (1999) Changes in auxin patterns in developing gynophores of the peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea L.). Ann Bot 83:235–242

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Moctezuma E, Feldman LJ (1999) Auxin redistributes upwards in graviresponding gynophores of the peanut plant. Planta 209:180–186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Murthy BNS, Murch SJ, Saxena PK (1995) Thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis in intact seedlings of peanut (Arachis hypogaea): endogenous growth regulator levels and significance of cotyledons. Physiol Plant 94:268–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Nakagawa H, Saijyo T, Yamauchi N, Shigyo M, Kako S, Ito A (2001) Effects of sugars and abscisic acid on somatic embryogenesis from melon (Cucumis melo L.) expanded cotyledon. Sci Hortic 90:85–92

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Nishiwaki M, Fujino K, Koda Y, Masuda K, Kikuta Y (2000) Somatic embryogenesis induced by the simple application of abscisic acid to carrot (Daucus carota L.) seedlings in culture. Planta 211:756–759

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Nissen P (1994) Stimulation of somatic embryogenesis in carrot by ethylene: Effects of modulators of ethylene biosynthesis and action. Physiol Plant 92:397–403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Noma M, Huber J, Ernst D, Pharis RP (1982) Quantitation of gibberellins and the metabolism of [3H]gibberellin A1, during somatic embryogenesis in carrot and anise cell cultures. Planta 155:369–376

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Nomura K, Komamine A (1995) Physiological and biochemical aspects of somatic embryogenesis. In: Thorpe TA (ed) In vitro embryogenesis in plants. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 249–265

    Google Scholar 

  63. Normanly J, Bartel B (1999) Redundancy as a way of life–-IAA metabolism. Curr Opin Plant Biol 2:207–213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Osuga K, Masuda H, Komamine A (1999) Synchronization of somatic embryogenesis at high frequency using carrot suspension cultures: model systems and application in plant development. Methods Cell Sci 21:129–140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Pasternak TP, Prinsen E, Ayaydin F, Miskolczi P, Potters G, Asard H, Van Onckelen HA, Dudits D, Fehér A (2002) The role of auxin, pH, and stress in the activation of embryogenic cell division in leaf protoplast-derived cells of alfalfa. Plant Physiol 129:1807–1819

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Pintos B, Martín JP, Centeno ML, Villalobos N, Guerra H, Martín L (2002) Endogenous cytokinin levels in embryogenic and non-embryogenic calli of Medicago arborea L. Plant Sci 163:955–960

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Prewein C, Vagner M, Wilhelm E (2004) Changes in water status and proline and abscisic acid concentrations in developing somatic embryos of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) during maturation and germination. Tree Physiol 24:1251–1257

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Raemakers CJJM, Jacobsen E, Visser RGF (1995) Secondary somatic embryogenesis and applications in plant breeding. Euphytica 81:93–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Rajasekaran K, Vine J, Mullins MG (1982) Dormancy in somatic embryos and seeds of Vitis: changes in endogenous abscisic acid during embryogeny and germination. Planta 154:139–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Rajasekaran K, Hein MB, Vasil IK (1987a) Endogenous abscisic acid and indole-3-acetic acid and somatic embryogenesis in cultured leaf explants of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. Plant Physiol 84:47–51

    Google Scholar 

  71. Rajasekaran K, Hein MB, Davis GC, Carnes MG, Vasil IK (1987b) Endogenous growth regulators in leaves and tissue cultures of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. J Plant Physiol 130:12–25

    Google Scholar 

  72. Roustan J-P, Latché A, Fallot J (1994) Role of ethylene on induction and expression of carrot somatic embryogenesis: relationship with polyamine metabolism. Plant Sci 103:223–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Ruduś I, Kępczyńska E, Kępczyński J (2002) Regulation of Medicago sativa L. somatic embryogenesis by gibberellins. Plant Growth Regul 36:91–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Sagare AP, Lee YL, Lin TC, Chen CC, Tsay HS (2000) Cytokinin-induced somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Corydalis yanhusuo (Fumariaceae)–-a medicinal plant. Plant Sci 160:139–147

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Schiavone FM, Cooke TJ (1987) Unusual patterns of somatic embryogenesis in the domesticated carrot: developmental effects of exogenous auxins and auxin transport inhibitors. Cell Differ 21:53–62

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Senger S, Mock H-P, Conrad U, Manteuffel R (2001) Immunomodulation of ABA function affects early events in somatic embryo development. Plant Cell Rep 20:112–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Sharma AK (1999) Synchronization in plant cells–-an introduction. Methods Cell Sci 21:73–78

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Sharma P, Pandey S, Bhattacharya A, Nagar PK, Ahuja PS (2004) ABA associated biochemical changes during somatic embryo development in Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze. J Plant Physiol 161:1269–1276

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Stasolla C, Kong L, Yeung EC, Thorpe TA (2002) Maturation of somatic embryos in conifers: morphogenesis, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Plant 38:93–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Takeno K, Koshioka M, Pharis RP, Rajasekaran K, Mullins MG (1983) Endogenous gibberellin-like substances in somatic embryos of grape (Vitis vinifera x Vitis rupestris) in relation to embryogenesis and the chilling requirement for subsequent development of mature embryos. Plant Physiol 73:803–808

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Thomas C, Bronner R, Molinier J, Prinsen E, van Onckelen H, Hahne G (2002) Immuno-cytochemical localization of indole-3-acetic acid during induction of somatic embryogenesis in cultured sunflower embryos. Planta 215:577–583

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Thomas C, Meyer D, Himber C, Steinmetz A (2004) Spatial expression of a sunflower SERK gene during induction of somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis. Plant Physiol Biochem 42:35–42

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Thorpe TA (2000) Somatic embryogenesis: morphogenesis, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Korean J Plant Tissue Cult 27:245–258

    Google Scholar 

  84. Tokuji Y, Kuriyama K (2003) Involvement of gibberellin and cytokinin in the formation of embryogenic cell clumps in carrot (Daucus carota). J Plant Physiol 160:133–141

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Victor JMR, Murch SJ, KrishnaRaj S, Saxena PK (1999) Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in peanut: The role of thidiazuron and N6-benzylaminopurine in the induction of plant morphogenesis. Plant Growth Regul 28:9–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. von Arnold S, Sabala I, Bozhkov P, Kyachok J, Filonova L (2002) Developmental pathways of somatic embryogenesis. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 69:233–249

    Google Scholar 

  87. Wenck AR, Conger BV, Trigiano RN, Sams CE (1988) Inhibition of somatic embryogenesis in orchardgrass by endogenous cytokinins. Plant Physiol 88:990–992

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Zhang Q, Chen J, Henny RJ (2005) Direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf, petiole and stem explants of golden pothos. Plant Cell Rep 23:587–595

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Víctor M. Jiménez .

Editor information

A. Mujib Jozef Šamaj

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jiménez, V.M., Thomas, C. Participation of Plant Hormones in Determination and Progression of Somatic Embryogenesis. In: Mujib, A., Šamaj, J. (eds) Somatic Embryogenesis. Plant Cell Monographs, vol 2. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7089_034

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics