Embryogenesis and ex-situ germoplasm conservation in Araucaria angustifolia: physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects

Abstract

Araucaria angustifolia is a native woody species of Atlantic Forest, which in function of its overlogging is actually in risk of extinction. The development and implementation of strategies for conservation and restoration of remanescent populations are extremely important for this species. However, in function of the long time to the development of reproductive structures, the irregular phenology, and the seed recalcitrance makes difficult the establishment of traditional strategies for conservation and genetic breeding. In vitro culture techniques, including somatic embryogenesis, associated to cryopreservation, are considered important biotechnology tools for clonal propagation and ex situ conservation of woody plants with recalcitrant seeds. The use of this biotechnological tool is relatively new, and still presents points of control that needs to be elucidated. The aim of this project is to study the somatic embryogenesis and cryopreservation, as alternative for clonal propagation and ex situ conservation of A. angustifolia elite genotypes. During the project, it will be evaluated different molecular parameters, using functional genomics and comparative proteomics, and biochemical/physiological parameters, through signalizing molecules (polyamines, nitric oxide, and abscisic acid), during embryogenesis and cryopreservation. The results will be essential for: a) determination of molecular aspects related to the embryogenic process and improvement of somatic embryogenesis protocol during the induction, maturation and plantlet regeneration of embryogenic cultures in A. angustifolia; b) comprehension of different biochemical and physiological aspects during the cryopreservation of zygotic embryos, apical shoots, and embryogenic cell lines, and the establishment of germoplasm banks in A. angustifolia. (AU)