In: Phyton 55, Fasc. 2 (2015): S. 279-295 DOI: 10.12905/0380.phyton55(2)2015-0279

The Effect of Explant Origin, Media and GrowthRegulators on the Initiation and Proliferation ofEmbryogenic Callus of Pinus sylvestris in Somatic Embryogenesis

Key words: Phytohormones, Pinus sylvestris, somatic embryogenesis, zygotic embryos.

Nawrot-Chorabik K. 2015. The effect of explant origin, media and growth regu­lators on the initiation and proliferation of embryogenic callus of Pinus sylvestris in somatic embryogenesis. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 55 (2): 279–295, with 2 figures.

Summary
Callus tissue of P. sylvestris L. was initiated and proliferated from mature zy­gotic embryos derived from mature seeds originating from three areas. Embryo­genic and non-embryogenic callus, as well as cotyledons developing from primary explants were obtained by somatic embryogenesis. The experiments allowed to draw conclusions supported by statistical analysis of data. Out of the three media tested (DCR, LV, MS) both basal and modified, LV modified and supplemented with BA, 2.4-D and NAA proved to be the best medium. This medium allowed to obtain the highest initiation frequency of embryogenic (8.9%) and non-embryogenic callus (59.4%). Moreover, to obtain a satisfactory effect, the basal medium needed to be significantly modified by decreasing the macronutrient concentration, increasing zinc concentration, introducing glutamine and casein hydrolysate. Zygotic embryos isolated from mature seeds of P. sylvestris are suitable explants for the production of embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus, and they are easier to obtain, as com­pared to immature seeds (megagametophytes). The origin of explants is also impor­ tant, as evidenced by the results of this study, which can be useful for creating a protocol to obtain embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus of P. sylvestris.