Maturation of black spruce somatic embryos. Part I. Effect ofl-glutamine on the number and germinability of somatic embryos

✍ Scribed by Slaheddine Khlin; Francine M. Tremblay

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 797 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0167-6857
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00124083

✦ Synopsis

Different concentrations of L-glutamine and different nitrogen sources in the medium were compared during maturation of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) somatic embryos. L-glutamine can be used as the sole nitrogen source for the maturation of Picea mariana somatic embryos at 2 to 3 g 1-1. A significantly lower number of somatic embryos was obtained on a medium prepared with only inorganic nitrogen. Compared with a medium containing inorganic nitrogen only, L-glutamine in the maturation medium used as the only nitrogen source or as a supplement to inorganic nitrogen resulted in a twofold increase in the number of embryos for six genotypes. The nitrogen source and concentration in the maturation medium significantly affected the germination sensus stricto of somatic embryos (radicle appearance), but not their development into plantlets; at the time of epicotyl appearance, an effect of the nitrogen source was no longer found. A comparison of the development of somatic embryos into plantlets from seven genotypes showed that the genotype had more effect in terms of epicotyl appearance and in conversion rate than the nitrogen source present in the maturation medium.

Abbreviations: HLM-1 -half-Litvays's medium with 10 laM 2,4-D and 5 ~tM BA, i -only inorganic nitrogen in the medium, i + lgG -inorganic nitrogen plus 1 g 1-~ glutamine in the medium, SMM -standard maturation medium, 2.5gG -only 2.5 g 1-~ glutamine in the medium