Structure of embryogenic tissues and accumulation of storage materials in somatic embryos of Picea abies and P. omorika

Microscopic analysis of embryogenic tissues of Picea abies and P. omorika showed that the tissues differed in proportions of various types of proembryogenic masses, and in presence/absence of early somatic embryos, which suggests that they differed in embryogenic potential. On the basis of this study, embryogenic competence of tissues can be assessed at early stages of somatic embryogenesis, and thus the most efficient lines can be selected (one Picea abies and two P. omorika). In the course of development of somatic embryos embryogenic tissue was placed on a medium with abscisic acid (ABA), which affects an increase in osmotic pressure at the stage of maturation of somatic embryos and finally on the regeneration of cotyledonary embryos. In this stage of embryos development, storage materials were accumulated, which are used in specific metabolic processes during embryo development.