Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf explants and cell suspensions of Solanum melongena (eggplant)

Abstract

High frequencies of somatic embryogenesis evaluated on the basis of average embryo yield per explant were observed on leaf explants of Solanum melongena (L.) (eggplant) after 21 days of culture on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium. Callus proliferation and embryogenesis occurred in the presence of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), whereas only callus induction occurred in the presence of the other auxins. Maximal embryo yields were obtained at 10 mg/L NAA. Although cytokinins inhibited the NAA-induced embryogenic response, they acted synergistically to promote callus growth. The frequency of embryogenesis on leaf explants was shown to be under the control of the nitrogen content of the medium. Both NH4+ and NO3− were essential for embryogenesis and an optimal ratio of 2:1 (NO3−:NH4+) was established. The optimal sucrose concentration of the medium was 0.06 M and both elevated and reduced sucrose levels inhibited embryogenesis. Seven cultivars showed significant quantitative differences in their capacities to form embryos, although all were embryogenic. Cell suspension cultures were also embryogenic, when grown under conditions which stimulated embryogenesis in leaf explants. Somatic embryos taken from leaf callus or cell suspensions and cultured on hormone-free medium gave rise to plants which set seed when transferred to the greenhouse. Shoot organogenesis was observed on leaf explants which were cultured in the presence of either of four cytokinins. Shoots were rooted on hormone-free medium and mature plants were subsequently obtained.

Difference in somatic embryogenetic ability of cultured leaf explants of four genotypes of Solanum melongena L

“…Gleddie et al (1983) obtained somatic embryogenesis in this species on media containing NAA only. But in the present study, the frequency of somatic embryo formation and plant regeneration were higher when the medium was supplemented with 0.1 mg/l kinetin in addition to NAA.…”

“…Plantlet regeneration in S melongena L through organogenesis and embryogenesis is possible from sexual embryos (Yamada et al, 1967) hypocotyl (Kamat and Rao, 1978;Matsuoka and Hinata, 1979) leaf explants (Gleddie et al, 1983;Rao and Singh, 1991). The present study reports the difference in somatic embryogenesis ability of 4 varieties of S melongena L viz DRLS (DRL Selection), Kalalong (Rao and Singh, 1991).…”

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.): tissue culture, genetic transformation and use as an alternative model plant

“…Early studies of in vitro regeneration of eggplant were based on culturing cell suspensions Gleddie et al 1983), anthers (Isouard et al 1979;Dumas de Vaulx & Chambonnet 1982;Tuberosa et al 1987) and protoplasts (Jia & Potrykus 1981;Saxena et al 1981;Guri & Izhare 1984;Gleddie et al 1986;Nishio et al 1987;Li & Zhang 1988;Clark et al 1988). Successful development of morphogenic calli was obtained from isolated microspores, resulting in the production of putative spontaneously doubled haploids (Miyoshi 1996).…”

Optimization of Somatic Embryogenesis Protocol for Locally Adapted Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Varieties in Bangladesh

“…The main advantage of somatic embryogenesis over axillary or adventitious shoot propagation is the possibility of potentially unlimited production of single individuals with functional shoot and root. Somatic embryogenesis in eggplant has been reported from stems, hypocotyls, leaves, cell suspension, isolated protoplasts and roots (Matsuoka and Hinata 1979, Gleddie et al 1983, Sharma and Rajam 1995a, Yadav and Rajam 1997. Development of an efficient embryogenesis protocol could pave the way for development of pest resistance and stress tolerant varieties of this crop through the application of modern biotechnological methods.…”