Imaging of native early embryogenic tissue of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) by ESEM

Abstract

Environmental scanning electron microscopy enables the investigation of uncoated pine early embryogenic tissue samples in situ. The samples were examined under low vacuum conditions (air pressure 550 Pa) at a temperature of around -18°C by the AQUASEM II noncommercial environmental scanning electron microscope. The native extracellular matrix surface network was imaged by the environmental scanning electron microscope and in dark field mode of the optical microscope too. The backscattered electron detector disclosed brightness loci in the cells of early embryogenic culture. This work shows images of native pine embryogenic tissues. The continuity of extracellular matrix with structural integrity of plant organism is discussed.

Keywords

• Somatic embryogenesis
• backscattered electron detector
• ionization detector
• bottle cells
• extracellular matrix
• structural integrity