Embryogenic response of multiple soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars across three locations

Nine soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars representing midwestern, mid-south, and southern US growing regions were evaluated at each of three locations (Athens, GA; Lexington, KY; and Wooster, OH) using uniform embryogenic induction and proliferation protocols in order to evaluate the portability of soybean somatic embryogenic protocols to different locations. The experimental design minimized variation between locations by having all cultivars present at all locations on all days. A quantitative weighted score for primary embryo induction was developed on average embryo number per explant and was used to describe non-embryogenic, poorly embryogenic, moderately embryogenic, and highly embryogenic responses. Ranking of cultivars remained similar across all locations, indicating a uniform transportability of the protocol, at least as far as embryo induction is concerned. Continued proliferation of embryogenic cultures was also measured using a repetitive growth measure but few meaningful conclusions could be made due to the high level of variability including inconsistent growth of cultures between each subculture. Overall, several cultivars were identified as being uniformly embryogenic or non-embryogenic at the primary induction phase at all locations, and we predict that those embryogenic cultivars could be used by any laboratory for high-efficiency induction of embryogenesis. The best of these cultivars, 'Jack', was uniformly responsive across all locations and should be selected as the genotype most likely to yield positive results when attempting to culture and genetically engineer soybeans via embryogenic protocols.