Preservation of endangered Tunisian grapevine cultivars using embryogenic cultures

Badra Bouamama*
Centre de Biotechnologie de Borj-Cédria
Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Vigne. B.P. 901
Hammam-lif, 2050, Tunisie
Tel: 00 216 79412 938
Fax: 00 216 79412 638
E-mail: Badra_bouamama@yahoo.com

Rahma Jardak
Centre de Biotechnologie de Borj-Cédria
Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Vigne. B.P. 901
Hammam-lif, 2050, Tunisie
Tel: 00 216 79412 938
Fax: 00 216 79412 638

Asma Ben Salem
Centre de Biotechnologie de Borj-Cédria
Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Vigne. B.P. 901
Hammam-lif, 2050, Tunisie
Tel: 00 216 79412 938
Fax: 00 216 79412 638

Abdelwahed Ghorbel
Centre de Biotechnologie de Borj-Cédria
Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Vigne. B.P. 901
Hammam-lif, 2050, Tunisie
Tel: 00 216 79412 938
Fax: 00 216 79412 638

Ahmed Mliki
Centre de Biotechnologie de Borj-Cédria
Laboratoire de Physiologie Moléculaire de la Vigne. B.P. 901
Hammam-lif, 2050, Tunisie
Tel: 00 216 79412 938
Fax: 00 216 79412 638

*Corresponding author

Financial support: High Ministery of Education and Scientific Research and Technology.

Keywords: forced anthers, long-term maintenance, somatic embryos, Vitis vinifera.

The preservation of embryogenic lines derived from several endangered local grapevine cultivars was studied. Embryogenic calluses were obtained from immature anthers of eight cultivars, sampled on both fruity-cuttings and field grown vines. Anthers at the ‘separated flower’ stage, derived from fruity-cuttings, resulted in an increased induction of somatic embryogenesis, compared to those derived from the field. Pro-embryogenic calluses were induced on Chée and Pool (1987) basal medium, supplemented with 9 µM of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 11.35 µM of thidiazuron (TDZ) under dark conditions. Different anther zones (filament, abaxial, adaxial, lateral zones and entire anthers) were involved in somatic embryogenesis induction. The percentages of granular and yellowish pro-embryogenic calluses ranged between 15.6% and 34.8% in ‘Kahli Kerkennah’ and ‘Muscat Raf-raf’ cultivars, respectively. Although, morphological diversifications of pro-embryogenic calluses (several necrosis and spontaneous maturation) were observed on the induction mediumafter 5 subcultures. The reduction of 2,4-D and TDZ levels to 4.52 µM and 2.89 µM respectively, induced granular and yellowish embryogenic material. Thus, Chée and Pool (1987) (CP) enriched with 4.52 µM of 2,4-D and 2.89 µM of TDZ revealed to be the most appropriate for long-term maintenance. In fact, all the cultivars presented high and regular embryo maturation rates after 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of cultivation on this medium, under light conditions. After 4 years, they still exhibit high germination and regeneration abilities. Germination of somatic embryos was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal-medium, with rates ranging from 69% to 96%. Only 5% of somatic embryos were concerned by morphological variations. The regenerated plantlets presented a normal phenotype under controlled greenhouse conditions, compared to mother plants.

Recent prospecting of local grapevine germplasm revealed that Tunisia possesses a rich patrimony which gathers around 35 distinct cultivars. These resources are very valuable as they present a distinct genetic pool in the Mediterranean basin (Zoghlami et al. 2003). Apart from the diversified organoleptic characteristics of their grapes (Souid et al. 2007), Tunisian cultivars seem to be well adapted to several biotic and abiotic constraints, regarding their wide geographical distribution all over the country. In fact, several were prospected in humid mountain areas, while others in arid peninsular zones (Kerkennah islands) and Saharan regions. Recent studies on the responses of several local cultivars to drought and salt stress (Ben Salem-Fnayou et al. 2006; Jellouli et al. 2008; Toumi et al. 2008) revealed their abilities to withstand a long-term water shortage (‘Kahli’, ‘Turky’ cultivars) and a high salt level (‘Razzegui’ cultivar). However, all local grapevine cultivars are seriously affected by viral diseases (fanleaf and leafroll) while several are currently facing extinction or genetic erosion (Jardak-Jamoussi et al. 2003; Zoghlami et al. 2003; Ben Salem-Fnayou et al. 2006). Despite the fact that most of the local grapevine cultivars are at present conserved as a unique field genebank, they always run the risk of destruction by natural calamities, pests and diseases (Kameswara-Rao, 2004). Thus, safety duplicates of endangered local grapevine cultivars, in particular, need to be established using biotechnological tools. In this respect, somatic embryogenesis could be an efficient tool for the preservation of Tunisian grapevine genetic resources, especially as embryogenic material could generate virus-free grapevine plants (Newton and Goussard, 1990). Therefore, maintaining a long-term embryogenic capacity has always been a target in genetic transformation programs (Kikkert et al. 2005).

To date, few studies have described the regeneration of local grapevine cultivars via somatic embryogenesis (Bouamama et al. 2007), but there have been no reports on the preservation of these cultivars via somatic embryogenesis. This research was carried out within the framework of the National Program for genetic resources preservation and exploiting; our goal being the preservation of several endangered local grapevine cultivars, through a long-term embryogenic culture establishment. Therefore, such embryogenic lines would particularly be valuable in bioprospecting (flavonoïds, stilbens (Kiselev et al. 2007), tannins).

In this study, the induction of somatic embryogenesis from anther explants, as well as the development of a long-term and reproducible system of somatic embryogenesis from several local grapevine cultivars is described.

Plant material and culture conditions

Eight local cultivars (Vitis vinifera): ‘Arich Ahmar’, ‘Arich Dressé’, ‘Asli’, ‘Kahli Kerkennah’, ‘Kahli Sfax’, ‘Khamri Tozeur’, ‘Muscat Raf-raf’ and ‘Turky’ were prospected all over the country in order to collect woody cuttings. Forcing was established under controlled conditions (28ºC temperature, 90% relative humidity, 16 hrs photoperiod and 250 µmol m^-2 s^-1 light intensity), using three-node dormant cuttings as reported by Bouamama et al. (2007). Within 8-10 weeks, inflorescences were excised, disinfected in sodium hypochlorite (6 gL^-1) during 15 min, and rinsed three times in sterile water containing citric acid (0.03 gL^-1) in the last bath.

Induction of embryogenic calluses

Immature anthers, excised from inflorescences derived from both fruity cuttings and field, were cultured on (Chée and Pool, 1987) basal medium (CP) supplemented with 9 µM of 2,4-D, 11.35 µM of TDZ and 3% sucrose. The medium (pH 5.8) was solidified with 3% gelrite before autoclaving at 116ºC for 24 min and distributed in (60 x 10 mm) Petri dishes (8 ml per plate). Anthers were aseptically plated on their adaxial side in contact with the medium. Explants were incubated at 24 ± 1ºC, under darkness. A total number of 25 explants per plate and five replicates from each cultivar were done. Induced calluses were sub-cultured on the same medium at 4 week- intervals, and three subcultures were finally done.

Long-term maintenance medium for pro-embryogenic material

The pro-embryogenic masses previously developed on the induction medium, were transferred to 3 culture media combinations, namely: CP supplemented with 1)- 4.52 µM of 2,4-D; 2)- 2.89 µM of TDZ 3)- 4.52 µM of 2,4-D and 2.89 µM of TDZ, respectively. Pro-embryogenic calluses (50 mg of fresh weight) from each cultivar were divided into 5 sections and incubated in 60 mm Petri dishes (containing 8 ml of medium). Six Petri dishes per cultivar and combination were incubated under darkness and sub-cultured at 4 week-intervals, during 3 and 5 months.

Maturation of somatic embryos

In order to induce maturation, embryogenic calluses (50 mg in weight) from all the cultivars were transferred under 16 hrs photoperiod conditions (57 µmol m^-2 s^-1) on CP containing 4.52 µM of 2,4-D and 2.89 µM of TDZ.

Morphological observations were regularly done using light microscopy (Leica-).

Plant regeneration

To achieve germination, individual somatic embryos were transferred to Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium, containing 3% of sucrose and 0.3% of gelrite. Well-developed plantlets were transferred into peat pots and acclimatized under controlled greenhouse conditions (24ºC temperature, 60% relative humidity, 16 hrs photoperiod).

All experiments were arranged in a randomized design. Data were analyzed using STATISTICA software. Comparisons were done using Duncan’s multiple range tests.

Induction and involvement of several anther zones in somatic embryogenesis

Inflorescences were collected 20-25 days prior to anthesis at the ‘separated flowers’ stage ‘H’ (Baggiolini, 1952). At this stage, anthers were 0.5 to 0.8 mm in length; presented a green translucent colour and their microspores were at the tetrad stage (Bouamama et al. 2007). A comparison between anthers derived from fruity-cuttings and field revealed that forcing resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of brown explants and increase in somatic embryogenesis induction (Table 1). Primary and pro-embryogenic calluses developed on the induction medium composed of CP basal medium containing 9 µM of 2,4-D and 11.35 µM of TDZ. Primary calluses were well-organized, friable and yellowish and were found to originate from different anther zones (Figure 1). Regular microscopic observations of primary calluses showed that these structures developed after 4 weeks, but were still dependent on certain parental explant zones. Thus, primary calluses were located on the filament (Figure 1A), lateral zones (Figure 1B), adaxial and abaxial zones (Figure 1C) and rarely progressed on the entire anthers.

The pro-embryogenic masses were induced after 12-14 weeks of cultivation by three repeated subcultures of original calluses on fresh induction media. All the cultivars exhibited pro-embryogenic calluses on the filaments (Figure 1D), lateral zones, (Figure 1E), abaxial and adaxial zones (Figure 1F) as well as on the entire anthers (Figure 1G). Independently from anther origin (fruity cuttings or field), the embryogenic induction was significantly dependent on the cultivar. In fact, the percentages of pro-embryogenic calluses ranged between 15.6% and 34.8% in ‘Kahli Kerkennah’ and ‘Muscat Raf-raf’ cultivars, respectively (Table 2).

Long-term maintenance of pro-embryogenic cultures

The pro-embryogenic masses, which were granular in texture and yellowish in colour (Figure 2A), were transferred to a refreshed induction medium (CP supplemented with 9 µM of 2,4-D and 11.35 µM of TDZ) for 5 further subcultures, in order to evaluate the growth and morphology of embryogenic calluses. Our results showed that the proliferation intensity of this material was not affected during the five subcultures; however, their colour turned to pale yellow since the third subculture (Figure 2B). After the fifth subculture, the calluses became diversified and generated several spontaneous mature embryos, as well as soft and necrotic tissues (Figure 2C, Figure 2D).

In order to conserve the yellowish and granular texture of the pro-embryogenic material, three media combinations, composed of CP enriched with 1) 4.52 µM of 2,4-D; 2) 2.89 µM of TDZ and 3) 4.52 µM of 2,4-D and 2.89 µM of TDZ were tested. After 9 subcultures, the combination of 4.52 µM of 2,4-D and 2.89 µM of TDZ was found to be crucial for conservation of the morphology of pro-embryogenic lines as well as their proliferation intensity (Table 3). The results showed a significant increase in embryogenesis proliferation on this preservation medium for all the cultivars, compared to other combinations. As shown in Table 3, most of the embryogenic calluses reached their maturity on CP supplemented with TDZ (2.89 µM), while they turned to brown and necrotic when cultured on CP enriched with 4.52 µM of 2,4-D.

Competency to maturation after a long-term maintenance period

The homogenous, granular and yellowish pro-embryogenic calluses which were preserved under darkness, on CP supplemented with 4.52 µM of 2,4-D and 2.89 µM of TDZ, were transferred to light conditions after 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of cultivation, in order to evaluate their competency to the maturation. Table 4 shows that maturation was not significantly affected by long-term maintaining of embryogenic material in ‘Kahli Sfax’, ‘Muscat Raf-raf’, ‘Khamri’ and ‘Arich Ahmar’. However, a decreased competence was observed in ‘Asli’, ‘Kahli Kerkennah’ and ‘Turky’ cultivars. Therefore, the competence to the maturation varied from year to year in ‘Arich Dressé’ cultivar (Table 4). Within an additional 4 week-period, light microscopy observations allowed to distinguish globular, heart, torpedo and cotyledonary-shaped embryos (Figure 2E).

The mass production of mature cotyledonary-shaped embryos (Figure 2F) was achieved; these embryos successfully germinated into tiny plantlets on MS phytohormone-free medium (Figure 2G). During the germinating period, several teratological forms (5%) were identified and varied from fused cotyledons (Figure 3A) to pluri-cotyledonary forms, without any root system (Figure 3B), secondary embryos on the rudimentary cotyledons (Figure 3C), and development of secondary somatic embryos on the root-hypocotyl connection zone (Figure 3D).

Plant regeneration

A high conversion rate of somatic embryos to plantlets was observed in all the cultivars (Table 5). Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized under controlled greenhouse conditions (Figure 4A). A high survival rate (90% to 100%) was recorded and plantlets exhibited a normal phenotype (ampelographic characteristics, phyllotaxy ½, tendrils) (Figure 4B, Figure 4C). Within the 3^rd year of cultivation, the first inflorescences appeared further to agricultural practices (pruning).

In this study, we were interested with the long-term preservation of pro-embryogenic lines from several endangered Tunisian grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera) and their whole plant regeneration. It is expected that the long-term preservation of pro-embryogenic lines would be further employed in genetic transformation programs of Tunisian grapevines as well as in bio-prospecting. Based on this study, the source material as well as the interactive effect of phytohormones revealed to be the main factors controlling pro-embryogenic induction and preservation. In this report, a comparison between fruity-cutting (forced) and field (unforced) anther sources revealed that forcing significantly resulted in a decrease in anther necrosis and an increase in somatic embryogenesis percentages. In this context, Perrin et al. (2004) previously noticed that the embryogenic response is apparently influenced by the controlled conditions of fruity-cuttings. Furthermore, the cultivation of immature anthers (from both fruity-cuttings and field) at the ‘separated flowers’, ‘stage H’ (Baggiolini, 1952), as well as the use of (Chée and Pool, 1987) medium supplemented with 2,4-D (9 µM) and TDZ (11.35 µM) led to an efficient induction of somatic embryogenesis for all the cultivars. Generally, the induction of embryogenic structures from anthers is mostly based on combinations between 2,4-D and BAP (Gribaudo et al. 2004; Kikkert et al. 2005). However, BAP was successfully replaced by TDZ in several Vitis genotypes (Nakano et al. 1997; Bornhoff and Harst, 2000; Iocco et al. 2001). Although, TDZ effect highly depended on the grapevine in vitro regeneration system (embryogenesis initiation, secondary embryogenesis, microspore culture, long-term maintenance, protoplasts) as well as on the genotype. In fact, several Vitis rootstocks yielded embryogenic callus lines, on solid MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and TDZ, which consequently regenerated entire plantlets (Olàh et al. 2003). Similarly, Nakajima and Matsuta (2003) showed that embryogenesis induction from leaf explants of Vitis vinifera cultivars was promoted by exogenous TDZ.

In this study, low levels of 2,4-D and TDZ were seemingly very crucial for the long-term maintenance of proembryogenic calluses in several local Vitis vinifera cultivars, without loss of their regenerative potential. Motoike et al. (2001) previously reported that a low level of TDZ was sufficient for long-term maintenance of embryogenic lines of Vitis x Labruscana cultivars.

On the other hand, regular morphologic observations confirmed the involvement of specific anther zones in embryogenesis induction (abaxial and adaxial zones, entire anthers, filament, lateral zones). Similar results were previously reported by Stamp and Meredith (1988) and Perrin et al. (2004); these authors proved that the filament and its detachment point were involved in the embryogenic induction. Therefore, Newton and Goussard (1990) reported that lateral anther zones induce somatic embryogenesis. However, the involvement of abaxial and adaxial zones as well as entire anthers in somatic embryogenesis induction was not reported so far.

Based on morphological characteristics, the well-organized friable and whitish primary calluses induced granular and yellowish pro-embryogenic masses on CP supplemented with 9 µM of 2,4-D and 11.35 of TDZ within 12-14 weeks in all the cultivars. However, the induction medium, composed of (Chée and Pool, 1987) supplemented with 2,4-D (9 µM) and TDZ (11.35 µM), revealed to be unsuitable for conserving the appropriate pro-embryogenic morphology for more than 5 subcultures in all of the eight cultivars. Thus, the morphology of pro-embryogenic calluses became diversified, despite their weight gradation. Although, pro-embryogenic calluses could be maintained on the CP medium supplemented with 4.52 µM of 2,4-D, and 2.89 µM of TDZ, under dark conditions. This result suggests that the levels of 2,4-D and TDZ could be crucial for the proliferation and conservation of granular and yellowish pro-embryogenic calluses. Thus, the proliferation of these embryogenic lines lasted for more than 48 months without loss of their regenerative capacities. In this context, the embryogenic lines obtained by Motoike et al. (2001) from Vitis x labruscana have been stably maintained for more than two years. However, these authors completely prevented premature spontaneous embryogenesis and germination using low levels of 2,4-D and IASP (indole-3-aspartic acid).

Similar results on the preservation of pro-embryogenic cultures from four seedless grapevine cultivars on MS supplemented with 2,4-D and IASP during 10 months reported, however, a spontaneous embryogenesis and premature germination (Perl et al. 1995). These authors inhibited these phenomena by adding ABA (abscissic acid) and maintained their embryogenic calluses for more than 18 months. Though, according to Kikkert et al. (2005), embryogenic cultures suitable for transformation were obtained from several Vitis genotypes, after more than one year, on Nitsch and Nitsch (1969) based-medium, supplemented with 2,4-D, NOA and TDZ.

The abnormalities which were observed after several subcultures in our long-term maintenance medium were also described by Motoike et al. (2001); the most common abnormality was the presence of more than two cotyledons or fused cotyledonary material.

To conclude, a protocol for a long-term maintenance of pro-embryogenic lines from several endangered Tunisian grapevines was established. This system would be efficient as an alternative strategy for grapevine genetic resources preservation and exploitation. Regarding the diversity of local cultivars, the long-term preserved embryogenic material would be particularly useful in bio-prospecting as well as in genetic transformation programs directed towards inducing tolerance to abiotic stresses.

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