Regeneration of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) through direct somatic embryogenesis from the immature embryonic shoot tip

We describe here a simple and efficient system of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis by using immature embryonic shoot tips (IEST) as explants. The cultivar Kaohsiung 10 (cv. K10) used in this study did not show embryogenic response either from mature seed-derived explants (cotyledon, embryonic tip, leaf, shoot and root) or immature cotyledons. However, it showed a high percentage (55.8%) of somatic embryo (SEm) formation from the IEST excised 2–3 wk after flowering, thus indicating the crucial roles of type and age of explants. The IEST put forth primary SEm after 2 mo of culturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6% sucrose, 164.8 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 5 mM asparagine and 684 μM glutamine. Subsequently, secondary SEm were developed 1 mo after culturing on MS medium containing 123.6 μM 2,4-D and 3% sucrose. Cotyledonary embryos were induced on MS medium supplemented with 0.5% activated charcoal after 1 mo. The embryos were desiccated for 72–96 h on sterile Petri dishes and regenerated on hormone-free MS medium. Plantlets with well-developed shoots and roots were obtained within 5–6 mo of culturing of IEST. The SEm-derived plants were morphologically normal and fertile. Various parameters thought to be responsible for efficient regeneration of soybean through somatic embryogenesis are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first report to employ IEST as explants for successful direct somatic embryogenesis in soybean.