biologia plantarum

Biologia plantarum 39:499-506, 1997 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1001788700469

In vitro regeneration of onion through repetitive somatic embryogenesis

M.M. Saker¹

¹ Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

A reliable protocol for the regeneration of onion through repetitive somatic embryogenesis was established. Embryogenic callus was derived from mature seeds on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 mg dm-3 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Somatic embryos aroused on the surface of calli cultures and formed plantlets after the removal of 2,4-D or its substitution with 1 mg dm-3 kinetin (Kin). Reculturing the somatic embryos on 2,4-D containing medium led to secondary embryos formation. The embryogenic cultures which were preserved for five months on maintenance medium containing 2 mg dm-3 2,4-D + 0.5 mg dm-3 Kin have retained their ability for regeneration, while those kept on 2,4-D only, failed to form plantlets. Electrophoretic analysis of total soluble proteins revealed that the competence for successful conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets is associated with the expression of new set of proteins (112, 58 and 30 kD). The regenerated plants were successfully transferred to the soil.

Keywords: Allium cepa; proteins; tissue culture

Subjects: Allium cepa; onion, in vitro regeneration; proteins, somatic embryogenesis; somatic embryogenesis, repetitive

Published: December 1, 1997  Show citation