The effectiveness of nitrogen sources in Feijoa somatic embryogenesis

Immature and mature zygotic embryos excised from Feijoa fruits were employed as explants and the effects of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^– ionic concentration in basal LPm culture medium supplemented with 2,4-D (10 M) were evaluated. Moreover, the addition of 4 mM of Asn, Gln, and Arg, and levels of Gln (0 to 8 mM) were tested. The original NH₄⁺ and NO₃^– concentration present in the LPm culture medium supplemented with Gln (4 mM) resulted in the highest somatic embryo number from immature zygotic embryos. For mature zygotic embryos, the addition of Asn, Gln or Arg to the basal LPm culture medium resulted in improved somatic embryogenesis induction. Ten weeks in culture allowed the highest somatic embryo number when mature zygotic embryos were used as explant. Half-strength MS culture medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 M) enhanced the conversion of somatic embryos to plantlets.