DEVELOPING CALLUS INDUCTION METHODS FOR ZOSTERA MARINA: A BIOTECHNICAL APPROACH TO SEAGRASS RESTORATION

Zostera marina is a flowering seagrass vital to fisheries and coastal ecosystems. Population assessments over the past four decades have documented significant declines attributed primarily to thermal stress and cultural eutrophication. Current restoration initiatives aim to re-establish seagrass beds through both transplantation and direct seed dispersal methods. Restoration success remains constrained by limited seed availability and variable recruitment rates. This study aims to develop protocols for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis in Z. marina to enable the production of somatic embryos from a single seed, thereby scaling up restoration efforts. Experimental protocols have been designed for wild explant sterilization, aseptic seedling culture, in-vitro germination and callus induction, with eventual transfer to studies on somatic embryogenesis. In comparison to other liquid media prepared for germination of seeds, rates in culture reached up to 85% with basal f/2 media. Seedlings grew up to three leaves with a maximum leaf height of 4.5 cm after 4 weeks in culture. Varying types and concentrations of growth hormones in agar media were used in callus induction trials, as well as axenic and wild explant tissue from seagrass. Preliminary results demonstrate potential callus development in root structures and immature seeds. These findings represent a crucial step towards large-scale propagation of Z. marina for ecosystem restoration purposes.  

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Grace Dixon, Marine Biological Laboratory (gdixon@mbl.edu)

Authors:

Grace Dixon, Marine Biological Laboratory  (gdixon@mbl.edu)

Sarah Merolla, Marine Biological Laboratory  (smerolla@mbl.edu)

Mirta Teichberg, Marine Biological Laboratory  (mteichberg@mbl.edu)

Saophea Chonn, Marine Biological Laboratory  (saophea.chonn91@gmail.com)

Elena Lopez Peredo, Rochester Institute of Technology  (elpsbi@rit.edu)

Agustín Moreira Saporiti, Marine Biological Laboratory  (amoreirasaporiti@mbl.edu)