In vitro Culture of Immature Cotyledons of Soya Bean (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Abstract

An in vitro procedure promoting the rapid growth and protein increase of soya bean cotyledons has been developed. The amount of protein synthesized varied greatly depending on the nitrogen (N) source provided. Glutamine was the most effective N source, while inorganic forms of N were ineffective. Growth and protein synthesis were both more rapid in vitro than in vivo. Under the best conditions, soya bean cotyledons increased 8-fold both in dry weight and in protein in 6 days. The formation of the 7S and 11S storage proteins in vitro was similar to that in vivo. Hence, this in vitro culture method is appropriate for studying legume seed storage protein synthesis under controlled conditions.