Typy publikací: Symposium poster

Somatic embryogenesis is a useful method for propagating selected plant material. However, before using this technique for forest tree deployment, it is important to ensure high-quality somatic embryos (SEs). This quality depends on how closely SEs resemble zygotic embryos (ZEs). At the end of their maturation, SEs usually resemble ZEs from fresh seeds due to their high water content and biochemical composition.

Somatic embryogenesis of conifers yields somatic embryos (SEs) that closely resemble non-mature cotyledonary zygotic embryos (ZEs). The most common method to improve the biochemical composition of SEs and reduce their water content to bring SEs closer to fully mature ZEs is cold treatment or desiccation at different relative humidity (RH). Both treatments can not only lead to successful SE germination but can also induce a stress response.

Our expertise cover methods of anatomy, histochemical detections, and indirect immunofluorescence, determination of the content of plant hormones, and analysis of gene expression. Newly we are also implementing methods of in-vitro virus detection. To control the developmental processes of in-vitro cultures, we use a broad spectrum of newly synthesized bioactive molecules as well as modulators of plant hormone metabolism and perception (e.g. anti-auxins, anti-gibberellins, cytokinin derivatives).

The aim of this study was to characterise the changes in concentration and composition of antioxidants during ripening, harvest and after 3 and 6 months of storage in three commercially successful scab-resistant and powdery mildew-tolerant apple cultivars selected in the Institute of Experimental Botany. The detailed description of free and glycosylated phenolic acid profiles and content of 6 selected carotenoids - neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and ß-carotene will serve for outcomes of major characteristics of these apple cultivars.

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved catabolic process deemed to maintain or restore cellular and organismal homeostasis. In plants, basal autophagy is essential for growth and development, it is required for nutrient remobilization during senescence and nutrient deficiency, for removal of organelles and macromolecules formed during plant development or damaged by environmental stresses.

Phenolic compounds (phenylpropanoids with an aromatic ring bearing one or more hydroxyl groups and various other substituents) are produced by plants as secondary metabolites, ranging from simple monomers to very large polymers. Due to their antioxidant activity they play crucial roles in plant defences against both biotic and abiotic stressors, moreover they are an important component of animal diet and they are highly beneficial for human health.

Phenolic compounds constitute a substantial group of phenylpropanoids which are produced by plants as secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties. The spectrum and concentrations of phenolic acids serve as a convenient marker of plant resistance to biotic stresses. Phenolics form also an important component of animal diet. Apples are a widely available fruit exhibiting significant concentrations of antioxidants, especially phenolics and carotenoids. Generally, the concentrations and composition of antioxidants vary during ripening and subsequent handling of harvested fruits.