Abstract: A switch to haploid embryogenesis is controlled by the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Blocking HDAC activity with HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), e.g., trichostatin A (TSA), in Brassica napus, B. rapa, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Capsicum annuum male gametophytes leads to a large increase in the proportion of cells that undergo embryogenic growth. In B. napus, treatment with one specific HDACi (SAHA) improves the conversion (i.e., germination) of these embryos into seedlings. Existing methods of culturing microspores of angiosperm plants following stress to produce haploid embryos, haploid plants, and double haploid plants can be improved by adding HDACi to the culture medium. Advantageously, species hitherto recalcitrant to haploid embryogenesis via microspore culture are rendered useful when using HDACi. Haploid and double haploid plants are of industrial application in the plant breeding programmes.

Abstract: A switch to haploid embryogenesis is controlled by the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Blocking HDAC activity with HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), e.g. trichostatin A (TSA), in Brassica napus, B. rapa, B. oleracea, Arabidopsis thaliana and Capsicum annuum male gametophytes leads to a large increase in the proportion of cells that undergo embryogenic growth. In B. napus, treatment with one specific HDACi (SAHA) improves the conversion (i.e. germination) of these embryos into seedlings. Existing methods of culturing microspores of angiosperm plants following stress to produce haploid embryos, haploid plants and double haploid plants can be improved by adding HDACi to the culture medium. Advantageously, species hitherto recalcitrant to haploid embryogenesis via microspore culture are rendered useful when using HDACi. Haploid and double haploid plants are of industrial application in the plant breeding programmes.

Abstract: A switch to haploid embryogenesis is controlled by the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Blocking HDAC activity with HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), e.g. trichostatin A (TSA), in Brassica napus, B. rapa, B. oleracea, Arabidopsis thaliana and Capsicum annuum male gametophytes leads to a large increase in the proportion of cells that undergo embryogenic growth. In B. napus, treatment with one specific HDACi (SAHA) improves the conversion (i.e. germination) of these embryos into seedlings. Existing methods of culturing microspores of angiosperm plants following stress to produce haploid embryos, haploid plants and double haploid plants can be improved by adding HDACi to the culture medium. Advantageously, species hitherto recalcitrant to haploid embryogenesis via microspore culture are rendered useful when using HDACi. Haploid and double haploid plants are of industrial application in the plant breeding programmes.

Abstract: Cyclopentyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-5-oxo-4-(4-pyridinyl)-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-3-quinolinecarboxylate and similar compounds are potentiators of auxin-induced somatic embryogenesis in plants. In particular, the inventors have discovered certain of these compounds induce somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis in the presence of 2,4-D. Also tested is BAY K 8644. Methods of inducing somatic embryogenesis comprise exposing selected plant tissues, e.g. seed embryos, to auxins, e.g. 2.4-D and the compounds.

Abstract: Benzenesulfonamide compounds potentiate 2,4-D induced embryogenesis in plants. In particular, 4-chloro-N-methyl-N-(2-methylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide and analogs induce somatic embryogenesis in plants. Methods of inducing somatic embryogenesis comprise exposing selected plant tissues, e.g. seed embryos, to auxins, e.g. 2.4-D and the benzenesulfonamide compounds. Compounds can be prepared by reacting sulfonyl chloride, an amine and pyridine in CH2CI2. Crude product is suspended in ethyl acetate and washed in sodium and potassium hydrogen sulphates and brine, then dried and filtered.