Stresses applied for the re-programming of plant microspores towards in vitro embryogenesis

Microspore embryogenesis is the most commonly used method to produce doubled haploids. It is based on the ability of a single haploid cell, the microspore, to de-differentiate and regenerate into a whole plant after being exposed to stresses, such as low or high temperatures, carbon starvation and colchicine. Some stresses such as temperature treatments and carbon starvation have been used with success in many plant species, whereas others such as colchicine had limited application in a few species. Reports on the application of whole plant treatments with feminizing agents on inflorescences and buds are scarce. Furthermore, the technical means to apply some stresses such as gamma-irradiation are not readily available. Recently, novel stresses such as pH, inducer chemicals, carrageenan oligosaccharicles and heavy metals were reported to induce microspore embryogenesis. It remains to be seen, however, whether these stresses are effective in a wider range of species. Finally, pretreatment of cultured cells with high concentrations of 2,4-D efficiently induces somatic embryogenesis in several species (carrot, alfalfa). However, reports on the use of this particular chemical stress are not available in microspore embryogenesis. The paper presented here gives an overview of various stresses and mechanisms of action of these stresses in inducing microspore embryogenesis.