REGULATION OF CEREAL EMBRYONIC ORGANOGENESIS IN VITRO CONDITIONS

The article provides the brief review of the literature and own works devoted to the peculiarities of the cereal embryonic organogenesis at the early stages of ontogenesis in the conditions of in vitro culture (the so-called somatic embryogenesis, or embryoidogenesis in vitro). Particular attention is paid to the issues of hormonal regulation of the development of somatic cereal embryos from initial cells to mature structures in vitro. A comparison of somatic embryogenesis in vitro with similar events in zygotic embryogenesis in vivo confirms the validity of the principle of universality of morphogenesis processes in vivo and in vitro (Batygina, 2014). The prospects of using somatic embryogenesis in vitro as a model for studying the most complex biological phenomenon – zygotic plant embryogenesis in vivo – are discussed.

The concentrations and distribution of phytic acid-phosphorus and other mineral nutrients in wild-type and low phytic acid1-1 (lpa1-1) corn (Zea mays L.) grains and grain parts

A comparison of mineral nutrient and phytic acid-phosphorus (PA-P) distribution in the grains of wild-type (WT) and low phytic acid1-1 (lpa1-1) corn (Zea mays L.) was conducted to determine how the lpa1-1 mutation influences mineral element concentrations in different grain parts and impacts the structure of phosphorus-rich inclusions (globoids) in the grain cells. This is the first report regarding total phosphorus (P) and PA-P concentrations in scutellum and root-shoot axis portions of cereal embryos of WT in comparison to its matching lpa1-1 genotype. In WT, 95% of the grain PA-P was located in the embryo, mostly in the scutellum. The lpa1-1 mutation reduced whole-grain PA-P by 62% but influenced the scutella more than the root-shoot axes and rest-of-grain fractions. In spite of the lpa1-1 mutants containing greatly reduced PA-P, whole-grain amounts of Mg, Fe, and Mn were higher in lpa1-1 than in WT, K and Zn were similar, and Ca was lower. Iron was 1/3 higher in lpa1-1 grains than WT while Ca was 18% lower. Decreased phytic acid in lpa1-1 grains resulted in reduction in globoid size in both scutellum and aleurone layer cells. Most lpa1-1 aleurone globoids were non-spherical and scutellum globoids were clusters of small spheres while WT globoids were large discrete spheres. X-ray analyses of globoids in both grain types revealed major amounts of P, K, and Mg and traces of Ca, Fe, and Zn. Both grain types contained almost no mineral nutrient stores in the starchy endosperm.Key words: corn (Zea mays L.), phytic acid-phosphorus, low phytic acid1-1 (lpa1-1) grains, mineral nutrients, globoids, electron microscopy.

OBSERVATIONS ON CEREAL EMBRYOS IN RELATION TO THE "EMBRYO TEST" FOR LOOSE SMUTS

The embryos of wheat, barley, oats, and rye may be distinguished readily by differences in the shape of the scutella and by the relative sizes of the root initials. Photomicrographs of transverse sections of a wheat embryo show that the embryonic leaves within the coleoptile are arranged alternately, the first one facing towards the scutellum. Their edges are curled around the growing point and meet on the opposite side of the cavity in the coleoptile. A structure, referred to as a "pad", covers the side of the embryo facing the endosperm.Abnormalities found in whole barley embryos include the dormant mycelium of loose smut which appears as brown threads mainly in the surface tissues of the scutellum. Frost, occurring during the later development of the kernel, causes a stunting of the embryo, particularly of the coleoptile, and the production of small particles of yellowish-brown pigment in the tissues of the embryo. Other abnormalities are figured and discussed.