A statistical comparison of various factors on embryogenic proliferation, morphogenesis and regeneration in Lolium temulentum cell suspension colonies

Cell suspension colonies from four embryogenic Lolium temulentum lines were selected and plated individually in 25 embryoid maturation treatments which varied in various factors reported to stimulate embryogenesis or improve regeneration. Using a numerical scoring system to compare the cultures against a control, treatments were identified which increased growth, suppressed morphogenesis or encouraged premature shoot formation.
No treatment significantly improved the proportion of colonies with globular or mature embryoids, but some prevented maturation and increased the proportion with translucent embryogenic proliferation. Other treatments accelerated maturation causing increased de-differentiation of embryogenic tissues. These treatments also tended to discourage the differentiation of discreet embryoids.
Colonies were later transferred en masse to a regeneration medium and scored using another numerical system. Embryoid maturation conditions were then identified which increased or suppressed subsequent shoot regeneration. The two scoring systems enabled cultures of the four lines to be characterised in detail and identified somatic variation in embryogenic development, morphogenesis and de-differentiation.