Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Somatic embryogenesis in oak (Quercus spp.)

  • Published:
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The present review summarizes the factors involved in controlling the process of oak somatic embryogenesis as a method for vegetative plant propagation and includes also data on artificial seed production, cryopreservation and transformation. One major limitation, the inability to initiate embryogenic cultures from mature trees, has been recently overcome. Leaves from selected cork oak trees with an age of 50 yr and more have been used to initiale somatic embryogenesis (SE) with a frequency of up to 20%. These findings offer encouraging prospects for cloning proven superior plant material and to integrate this propagation system into tree improvement programs. Once the process of SE has been initiated, the multiplication cycle proceeds via secondary embryogenesis, which can be maintained indefinitely. Problems are reported by the formation of anomalous embryos. The mutability of somatic embryogenic cell lines of various oak species has been monitored by flow cytometry and molecular markers. No somaclonal variation was detected applying random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) or amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, whereas DNA-content measurements via flow cytometry revealed tetraploidy in some cell lines after several years of continuous subculture. Maturation and low germination frequencies are the main bottlenecks for a broader use of this technique. Recently attention has been on embryo quality and parameters for conversion capacity such as high endogenous cytokinin level and low abscisic acid (ABA) level. Although oak is probably the species that is the most well-developed system for a broadleaved forest tree, data on growth performances of somatic embryo-derived plants are rare.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ballester, A.; Sanchez, M. C.; Vieitez, A. M. Combination of ex vitro and in vitro manipulations for rejuvenation of hardwood species. In: Thompson, D.; Welander, M., eds. Annual Report of CA AIR3-CT94-2202: molecular and morphological markers for juvenility, maturity, rejuvenation and somatic embryogenesis in woody plant species—the biotechnological approach, European Commission DG XII-E; 1996:42–46.

  • Berlyn, G. P.; Beck, R. C.; Renfroe, M. H. Tissue culture and the propagation and genetic improvement of conifers. Tree Physiol. 1:227–240; 1986.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bueno, M. A.; Astorga, R.; Manzanera, J. A. Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in Quercus suber. Physiol. Plant 85:30–34; 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bueno, M. A.; Gomez, A.; Boscaiu, M.; Manzanera, J. A.; Vicente, O. Stress induced haploid plant production from anther cultures of Quercus suber. Physiol. Plant. 99:335–341; 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bueno, M. A.; Gomez, A.; Vicente, O.; Manzanera, J. A. Stability in ploidy level during somatic embryogenesis in Quercus canariensis. In: Ajuha, M. R.; Bourjan, W.; Neale, D., eds. Somatic cell genetics and molecular genetics of trees, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1996:23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burg; K.; Hristoforoglu, K.; Fluch, S.; Hohl, K.; Burg, A.; Schmidt, J., Analysis of the fidelity of DNA replication in embryogenic cultures of norway spruce. In: Espinel, S.; Ritter, E. eds. Proceedings of application of biotechnology to forest genetics. Biofor 99. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 22–25 September 1999:231–235.

  • Celestino, C.; Fernandez Guijarro, B.; Hernandez, I.; Molinas, M.; Puigderrajols, P.; Martinez, I.; Hornero, J.; Gallego, F.J; Manjon, J.L.; Diez. J.; Toribio, M., Somatic embryogenesis in cork oak (Quercus suber L.). In: Espinel, S.; Ritter, E. eds. Proceedings of application of biotechnology to forest genetics. Biofor 99. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 22–25 September 1999:195–197.

  • Chalupa, A. V. Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Picea, Quercus, Betula, Tilia, Robinia, Fagus and Aesculus. Communications Instituti Forestalis Cechosloveniae 15:133–148; 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalupa, A. V. Plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis from cultured immature embryos of oak (Quercus robur L.) and linden (Tillia cordata Mill.). Plant Cell Rep. 9:398–401; 1990.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chalupa, A. V. Somatic embryogenesis in oak (Quercus spp.). In: Mohan, S.; JainGupta, P. K.; Newton, R. J., eds. Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol. 2. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1995:67–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuenca, B.; San-Jose, M. C.; Martinez, M. T.; Ballester, A.; Vieitez, A. M. Somatic embryogenesis from stem and leaf explants of Quercus robur L. Plant Cell Rep. 18:538–543; 1999.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cvikrova, M.; Mala, J.; Eder, J.; Hrubcova, M.; Vagner, M. Abscisic acid, polyamines and phenolic acids in sessile oak somatic embryos in relation to their conversion potential. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 36:247–255; 1998.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diez, J.; Manjon, J.L.; Dovacs, G.; Celestino, C.; Toribio, M., In vitro synthesis of Scleroderma polyrhizum Gmel. and Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizae on Quercus suber L., plantlets raised from somatic embryos. Book of Abstracts. XIII Congress of European Mycologists. Alcala de Henares (Madrid), Spain, 21–25 September 1999:33.

  • El Maâtaoui, M.; Espangnac, H. Néoformation de structures de type embryons somatiques sur des cultures de tissus de chêne liège (Quercus suber L.). C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris. Sér. III, 304:83–88; 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • El Maâtaoui, M.; Espangnac, H. Comportement in vitro d'embryons zygotiques de chene liège (Quercus suber L.) excisés d divers stades de leur développement. Ann. Sci. For. 46:145–148; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • El Maâtaoui, M.; Espangnac, H.; Michaux-Ferrière, N. Histology of callogenesis and somatic embryogenesis induced in stem fragments of cork oak (Quercus suber) cultured in vitro. Ann. Bot. 66:183–190; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endemann, M.; Wilhelm, E. Factors influencing the induction and viability of somatic embryos of Quercus robur L. Biol. Plant. 42:499–504; 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evers, P.; Haanstra, L., Does acorn ontogenesis influence susceptibility for SE induction in Quercus robur? COST 822 WG 3 ‘Identification and control of phase changes in rejuvenation’ meeting in Malaga, Spain, 4–7 October 1996.

  • Evers, P.; Haanstra, L.; Vermeer, E.; van Eden, S. Influence of reversed phase change on micropropagation of Quercus robur. Plant Tiss. Cult. Biotechnol. 2:148–154; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Féraud-Keller, C.; El Maataoui, M.; Gouin, O.; Espagnac, H. Embryogenèse somatique chez trois espèces de chenes méditerranéens. Ann. Sci. For. 46:130–132; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Féraud-Keller, C.; Espagnac, H. Conditions d'apparition d'une embryogenese somatique sur des cals issus de la culture de tissus foliares du chene vert (Quercus ilex). Can. J. Bot. 67:1055–1070; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez-Guijarro, B.; Celestino, C.; Toribio, M. Somatic embryogenesis in Quercus suber L. In: Pardos, J. A.; Ahuja, M. R.; Rossello, R. E., eds. Biotechnology of trees, Investigacion Agraria; 1994:105–110.

  • Fernandez-Guijarro, B.; Celestino, C.; Toribio, M. Influence of external factors on secondary embryogenesis and germination in somatic embryos from leaves of Quercus suber. Plant Cell Tiss. Organ Cult. 41:99–106; 1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez-Guijarro, B.; Celestino, C.; Toribio, M., Influence of genotype and degree of development on the induction of somatic embryogenesis in Quercus suber zygotic embryos. Abstract, COST 822, Workshop of WG 1, Berlin, Germany, 9–13 October 1996.

  • Finch-Savage, W. W.; Farrant, J. M. The development of desiccation-sensitive seeds in Quercus robur L.: reserve accumulation and plant growth regulators. Seed Sci. Res. 7:35–39; 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fourré, J. L.; Berger, P.; Niquet, L. Somatic embryogenesis and somaclonal variation in Norway spruce: morphogenetic, cytogenetic and molecular approaches. Theor. appl. Genet. 94:159–169; 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallego, F. J.; Martinez, I.; Celestino, J.; Toribio, M. Testing somaclonal variation using RAPDs in Quercus suber L. somatic embryos. Int. J. Plant Sci. 158:563–567; 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gamborg, O. L. Aromatic metabolism in plants. II. Enzymes of the shikimate pathway in suspension cultures of plant cells. Can. J. Biochem. 44:791–799; 1966.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gingas, V. M. Asexual Embryogenesis and plant regeneration from male catkins of Quercus. Hortscience 26:1217–1218; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gingas, V. M.; Lineberger, R. D. Asexual embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Quercus. Plant Cell Tiss. Organ Cult. 17:191–203; 1989.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Benito, M. E.; Perez-Ruiz, C. Cryopreservation of Quercus faginea embryonic axes. Cryobiology 29:685–690; 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haccius, B. Question of unicellular origin of non-zygotic embryos in callus culture. Phytomorphology 28:74–81; 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, I.; Celestino, C.; Martinez, I.; Hormero, J.; Gallego, J.; Toribio, M., Induction of somatic embryogenesis in leaves from mature Quercus suber L. trees. Book of Abstracts. COST 822, WG 1 ‘Physiology and control of plant propagation in vitro’, Krakow, Poland, 7–10 October 1999:17–18.

  • Hübner, E.; Müller, K.; Heyder, J.; Schmitt, H. P. Somatische Embryogenese und Sproßentwicklung in Abhängigkeit von 2,4-D und BAP-Konzentrationen an zygotischen Embryonen der spätaustreibenden Stieleiche (Quercus robur L.). Silvae Genetica 44:225–229; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isabel, N.; Boivin, R.; Lefasseur, C.; Charest, P. M.; Bousquet, J.; Tremblay, F. M. Occurrence of somaclonal variation among somatic embro-derived white spruces (Picea glauca, pinaceae). Am. J. Bot. 83:1121–1130; 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishii, K.; Thakur, R.; Jain, S. M. Somatic embryogenesis and evaluation of variability in somatic seedlings of Quercus serrata by RAPD markers. In: Mohan Jain, S.; Gupta, P. K.; Newton, R. J., eds. Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol. 4. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1999:403–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jörgensen, J. Embryogenesis in Quercus petraea and Fagus sylvatica. J. Plant Physiol. 132:638–640; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jörgensen, J. Conservation of valuable gene resources by cryopreservation in some forest tree species. J. Plant Physiol. 136:373–376; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jörgensen, J. Embryogenesis in Quercus petraea. Ann. Sci. For. 50:344–350; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. W.; Youn, Y.; Noh, E. R.; Kim, J. C. Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature embryos of five families of Quercus acutissima. Plant Cell Rep. 16:869–873; 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, G.; McCown, B. Commercially feasible micropropagation of mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia, by use of shoot tip culture. Proc. Int. Plant Propagators Soc. 30:421–427; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malá, J.; Cvrcková, H.; Brezinová, A.; Hrubcová, M.; Eder, J.; Vagner, M.; Cvikorvá, M. Biochemical characteristics of oak somatic embryos. In: Espinel, S.; Ritter, E. eds. Proceedings of application of biotechnology to forest genetics. Biofor 99. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 22–25 September 1999:245–250.

  • Manjon, J.L.; Diez, J.; Celestino, C.; Toribio, M. Mycorrhization of vitroplants raised from somatic embryos of cork oak (Quercus suber L.). The establishment of the beneficial rhizosphere. Book of Abstracts. Inter-COST meeting of 821, 822, 830 and 831, Edinburgh, UK, 17–19 September 1998: 36.

  • Manzanera, J. A.; Astorga, R.; Bueno, M. A. Somatic embryo induction and germination in Quercus suber L. Silvae Genetica 2–342:90–93; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manzanera, J. A.; Bueno, M. A.; Pardos, J. A. Quercus robur L., (pedunculate oak). In: Bajaj, Y. P. S., ed. Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry, vol. 35. Trees IV. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag; 1996:321–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merkle, S. A. Strategies for dealing with limitations of somatic embryogenesis in hardwood trees. Plant Tiss. Cult. Biotechnol. 1:112–121; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merkle, S. A.; Parrot, W. A.; Flinn, B. S. Morphogenic aspects of somatic embryogenesis. In: Thorpe, T. A., ed. In vitro embryogenesis in plants, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1995:155–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murashige, T.; Skoog, F. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol Plant. 15:473–497; 1962.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrolucka, M. G.; Petrova, A. The occurrence of somatic embryogenesis in the species Quercus cerris L. Biologia 46:9–14; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palada-Nicolau, M.; Hausmann, J.F., Oak somatic embryogenesis: carbohydrate accumulation during somatic versus zygotic embryo development. In: Espinel, S.; Ritter, E. eds. Proceedings of application of biotechnology to forest genetics. Biofor 99. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 22–25 September 1999:321–328.

  • Pence, V. C. Desiccation and the survival of Aesculus, Castanea and Quercus embryo axes through cryopreservation. Cryobiology 29:391–399; 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puigderrajols, P.; Fernandez-Guijarro, B.; Toribio, M.; Molinas, M. Origin and early development of secondary embryos in Quercus suber L. Int. J. Plant Sci. 157:674–684; 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rancillac, M.; Klinguer, A.; Klinguer, S. Plant biotechnologies applied to a forst tree, the American red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Acta Horticul. 289:341–342; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rancillac, M.; Klinguer, A.; Klinguer, S.; Millet, B. Preliminary investigation on somatic embryogenesis from leaf discs of red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Plant Growth Regul. 20:67–73; 1996.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, E. H.; King, M. W. Storage of recalcitrant seeds. In: Withers, L. A.; Williams, T. J., eds. Crop genetic resources: the conservation of difficult material, Int. Union Biol. Sci. Ser. B42; 1980:39–48.

  • Sasaki, Y.; Shoyama, Y.; Nishioka, I.; Suzaki, T. Conal propagation of Quercus acutissima Carruth. by somatic embryogenesis from embryonic axes. J. Fac. Agr. Kyushu Univ. 33:95–101; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasamoto, H.; Hosoi, Y. Somatic embryogenesis in suspension cultures of Quercus serrata Thumb. J. Jpn. For. Soc. 71:20–22; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schenk, R. U.; Hildebrandt, A. C. Medium and techniques for induction and growth of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plant cell cultures. Can. J. Bot. 50:199–204; 1972.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, W. R.; Sondahl, M. R.; Caldas, L. S.; Maraffa, S. B. The physiology on in vitro asexual embryogenesis. Hort. Rev. 2:268–310; 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, H. E.; Brown, C. L.; Kormanik, P. P. Differentiation of plantlets in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) tissue cultured in vitro. Bot. Gaz. 136:196–200; 1975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, P. S.; Steinhauer, A. In vitro culture of embryo segments of Quercus lebani: organogenesis and callus growth as a differential response to experimental conditions. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 106:93–96; 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, R. Formulation of plant culture media and applications therefore. International Publication No. WO 92/07460. Patent No. Europe: 92902531.0, Queensland: Forbio PTY Ltd.; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thakur, R. C.; Gota, S.; Ishii, K.; Jain, S. M. Monitoring genetic stability in Quercus serrata Thumb. somatic embryogenesis using RAPD markers. J. For. Res. 4:157–160; 1999.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, T. A. In vitro somatic embryogenesis. In: In vitro somatic embryogenesis. ISI Atlas of Science, Animal and Plant Sciences, 1988:81–88.

  • Toribio, M. Callus initiation and primary morphogenic responses from Quercus suber L. cultured in vitro Poster. 18th IUFRO World Congress Div. 2, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, 1986:863.

  • Toribio, M.; Celestino, C.; Gallego, J.; Martinez, I. Induction of somatic embryogenesis in tissues from mature oak trees. COST 822. WG 1 ‘Physiology and control of plant propagation in vitro’, meeting in Lisse, The Netherlands, 1998.

  • Tutkova, M.; Wilhelm, E. Cryopreservation of Quercus robur somatic embryos. Abstract. Haberlandt Symposium, Vienna, 8–9 October 1998. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Plant 35:180; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, E.; Burg, A.; Berenyi, M.; Endemann, M.; Rodler, R. Plantlet regeneration via somatic embryogenesis and investigations on Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of oak (Quercus robur). In: Ajuha, M. R.; Bourjan, W.; Neale, D., eds. Somatic cell genetics and molecular genetics of trees, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1996:125–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, E.; Endemann, M.; Hristoforogulu, K.; Prewein, C.; Tutkova, M., Somatic embryogenesis in oak (Quercus robur L.) and production of artificial seeds. In: Espinel, S.; Ritter, E. eds. Proceedings of application of biotechnology to forest genetics. Biofor 99. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 22–25 September 1999:213–225.

  • Zegzouti, R.; Favre, J.M., Histological effects of maturation treatments on somatic embryos of Quercus robur L. COST 822, WG3 ‘Identification and control of phase changes in rejuvenation’, Nitra, Slovak Republic, 15–19 October 1997.

  • Zegzouti, R.; Favre, J.M., Histogenesis of secondary embryoids in Quercus robur. In: Espinel, S.; Ritter, E. eds. Proceedings of application of biotechnology to forest genetics. Biofor 99. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 22–25 September 1999:227–230.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Austrian Research Centers, A-2444, Seibersdorf, Austria

    Eva Wilhelm

Authors
  1. Eva Wilhelm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eva Wilhelm.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wilhelm, E. Somatic embryogenesis in oak (Quercus spp.). In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 36, 349–357 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-000-0062-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-000-0062-y

Key words

Search

Navigation