Biochemical and Molecular Studies during Ontogeny of Somatic Embryos in Sandal (Santalum album L.)
T. B. Suma
Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi-680 653, Trichur, Kerala, India
M. Balasundaran *
Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi-680 653, Trichur, Kerala, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Biochemical and molecular analyses were carried out at the sequential stages of somatic embryogenesis in Santalum album to understand whether the developmental anomalies have any genetic basis. The internodes collected from sandal trees of Marayoor provenance, Kerala, India were used as explants. Somatic embryos developed asynchronously and germinated precociously. Approximately twenty percent of the embryos were converted to normal plantlets. Different sequential stages of somatic embryogenesis viz. compact callus, friable callus, embryo induction, embryo maturation and fully developed embryos. Remarkable degree of heterogeneity observed in RAPD profiles at different stages provided evidence for the culture-induced variations at the DNA level.
Keywords: Santalum album, Somatic embryo, Ontogeny, RAPD, Isozymes