The effects of reduced nitrogenous compounds suggests that glutamine synthetase activity is involved in the development of somatic embryos in carrot

The addition of L-glutamine, alpha-alanine or L-glutamic acid strongly stimulates somatic embryo formation in carrot, not only in the number of somatic embryos formed but also with respect to their development. The effects of the amino acids on somatic embryogenesis were stronger than that of ammonium ion. In particular, L-glutamine strongly stimulated the development of somatic embryos. To clarify the different effects of amino acids and ammonium ion, the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2.), a key enzyme involved in nitrogen assimilation, was measured. Its activity decreased during the later stages of embryo development.