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Do stress-related phytohormones, abscisic acid and jasmonic acid play a role in the regulation of Medicago sativa L. somatic embryogenesis?

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Abstract

This study examined the role of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in indirect somatic embryogenesis of Medicago sativa L. A multiplex GC-MS/MS technique allowed quantitative single-run analyses of ABA, JA, 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The preparation of initial explants led to a strong accumulation of ABA, JA and OPDA but not of IAA. Substantially higher levels of ABA, JA and OPDA were detected in developing somatic embryos than in callus or embryogenic suspension. Fluridone (FLD) decreased ABA, JA and OPDA levels. Indoprofen (INP) appeared to be a specific inhibitor of octadecanoid biosynthesis. Somatic embryo production and development were negatively affected by FLD or INP. Only INP (0.5 μM) applied during proliferation phase increased the number of cotyledonary embryos. The results strongly indicate the involvement of ABA and JA in somatic embryogenesis of M. sativa. Surprisingly, low IAA contents in comparison to stress-related compounds (ABA, JA and OPDA) were detected in explants, embryogenic tissues and somatic embryos.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

2,4-D:

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

FLD:

Fluridone

FW:

Fresh weight

GC-MS:

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

IAA:

Indole-3-acetic acid

INP:

Indoprofen

JA:

Jasmonic acid

MeJA:

Methyl jasmonate

NAA:

α-Naphthaleneacetic acid

NSAIDs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

OPDA:

12-Oxophytodienoic acid

PGR:

Plant growth regulator

PPFD:

Photosynthetic photon flux density

SE:

Somatic embryogenesis

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. A. Müller for assistance with GC-MS analyses. This work was supported by a grant from the State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN), No 6 PO4C 048 1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Szczecin University, Wąska 13, 71-415, Szczecin, Poland

    Izabela Ruduś & Ewa Kępczyńska

  2. Department of Plant Physiology, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany

    Elmar W. Weiler

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  1. Izabela Ruduś
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  2. Elmar W. Weiler
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  3. Ewa Kępczyńska
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Correspondence to Izabela Ruduś.

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Ruduś, I., Weiler, E.W. & Kępczyńska, E. Do stress-related phytohormones, abscisic acid and jasmonic acid play a role in the regulation of Medicago sativa L. somatic embryogenesis?. Plant Growth Regul 59, 159–169 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-009-9399-3

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