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. In our study, we followed the histological and phytohormonal changes induced in mature cotyledonary SEs of two lines of hybrid larch Larix eurolepis (Q10 and N23) by cold or different desiccation treatments. We focused on the content of abscisic acid (ABA) and its derivatives that can represent a stress marker in treated SEs. ABA is also necessary to trigger SE maturation, but reducing its endogenous level in mature SEs is vital for germination. On the histological level, we followed the content and localisation of phenolic compounds as another potential stress marker and storage products – starch and proteins in protein storage vacuoles (PSVs).
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