Histological examination of callogenesis and adventitious embryogenesis in immature ovary culture of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Histological examinations of callogenesis and adventitious embryogenesis in immature ovary culture of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. 'Neo Mat') were carried out during different phases of ontogenetic development. Adventitious embryos and/or embryogenic calli were obtained when immature ovary explants were cultured on a callus induction medium (C medium) for two months followed by transfer of callus-forming explants onto an embryogenesis induction medium (E medium). Microscopic observations of serial sections of the explants revealed that the calli formed on C medium were initiated preferentially from receptacle parenchyma cells. No cell division in the embryo sac was observed and most of them degenerated four weeks after the onset of culture. Two to four weeks after transfer of the explants onto E medium, calli characterized by dense cytoplasm, conspicuous nuclei and thick cell walls were newly formed in the initially-formed, receptacle-derived ones. Proembryos simultaneously developed in the newly formed calli, indicating that they were embryogenic calli. Cell division of embryo sacs was never observed even on E medium, and adventitious embryos and embryogenic calli were hence of somatic origin. Adventitious embryos developed asynchronously and passed through globular, heart, torpedo and cotyledonary stages. These adventitious embryos germinated and developed into plantlets following their transfer onto a plant growth regulator-free medium.