Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature zygotic embryos of Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis)

Embryogenic tissue was initiated using LM, LP and MS media from open-pollinated immature embryos of Larix leptolepis. The initiation frequency varied with collection dates. The highest frequencies of embryogenic tissue initiation (60, 67 and 59% on LM, LP and MS media, respectively) were observed from cones collected on July 30. At this time, all the excised embryos were at the cotyledonary stage. ABA over a wide concentration and length of exposure range did not promote maturation, but was beneficial in reducing precocious germination. Of over 400 plants regenerated, 72 were transplanted into soil mixtures and to date, 69 of these (95%) have survived. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.