Growth conditions influence regeneration of encapsulated carrot somatic embryos into plantlets

Summary Carrot somatic embryos were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads, with or without a maturation step, to produce synthetic seeds. Germination and plantlet regeneration frequencies were compared for liquid or solid nutritive media, and with sucrose supply and sterilization or not. Germination rates were greater than 80% in all treatments except in non-sterilized sand. No conversion occured on a liquid MS medium. Normal plantlets were 7–22% on agar and 4–40% on sand. Abnormal plantlets were only observed on agar due to secondary embryogenesis. A sterilized sand growth support supplied with sucrose appears to be most appropriate to assess morphologically normal plantlet regeneration.Corresponding author