Early Cellular Events During Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Cotyledon Explants of Solanum aviculare Forst.

A detailed light and electron microscope study of early cellularevents at the onset of somatic embryogenesis in cotyledon explantsof Solanum aviculare Forst., cultured on MS medium supplementedwith 1 mg l^–1 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)for periods of 0–12 d in darkness, is described. Examinationsof longitudinal sections in a plane offset from the centralveins indicated that the earliest embryogenic events in explantstook place within the first 3–4 d of culture in the parenchymacells associated with the vascular traces closest to the cutbasal ends of cotyledons. Thereafter, parenchyma associatedwith more distal vascular traces became active in an apparentlysequential manner such that, by the second week of culture,progressive stages of embryogenesis could be observed alongthe lengths of cotyledon sections. Despite the fact that epidermalcells and palisade tissues were exposed directly to the 2,4-Dmedium, initiation of embryogenic development was never observedin cells other than those directly associated with vasculartraces. None of the embryogenic events characterized at theultrastructural level were observed in cotyledons cultured onMS medium in the absence of 2,4-D with the exception that starchaccumulated in decreasing amounts from the wounded basal endto the distal end of each cotyledon. This system provides a valuable model with which to study earlybiochemical and molecular events occurring in explants duringthe onset of somatic embryogenesis because they occur in a predictablefashion at sequentially situated sites along the explant tissues. Somatic embryogenesis, Solanum aviculare, cotyledon explants, cellular changes     

Ultrastructural Changes in Leaves of Cichorium during Somatic Embryogenesis

A detailed electron microscopy study of early cellular eventsduring somatic embryogenesis in leaves of Cichorium is described.Leaves on in-vitro grown plantlets were sectioned and put at35°C, in darkness, in an agitated liquid induction medium.No sign of embryogenic predetermination, such as thick cellwall, dense cytoplasm and enlarged nucleus, could be seen inany cell before treatment. Perivascular cells were the firstto react. Addition of glycerol (330 mM) allowed the arrest ofembryogenic cells at an activated stage. The main events werea thickening of the wall, with extracellular secretion and anaccumulation of Ca²⁺ in the vacuole, demonstrated by an antimonateprocedure. After 5 d, leaves were transferred to glycerol-freemedium where multicellular proembryos could be observed. Theyshowed reduced vacuoles, cortical microtubules, numerous multivesicularbodies and lipid globules. The embryoid cells were lined alongthe mesophyll lacunae by an extracellular secretion with a tubularstructure; histochemical tests proved its complex lipo-glyco-proteicnature.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Cichorium, extracellular tubular protein, somatic embryogenesis, vacuolar calcium     

High Frequency of Plant Production via Somatic Embryogenesis from Callus or Cell Suspension Cultures inEleutherococcus senticosus

Hypocotyl segments ofEleutherococcus senticosuscultured on Murashigeand Skoog's (MS) medium with 4.5 µM2,4-D produced somaticembryos directly from the surface of explants without interveningcallus formation. When these somatic embryos were subculturedto the same MS medium with 4.5 µM2,4-D, friable embryogeniccalli were formed mainly from radicle tips of somatic embryos,but at a low frequency (5%). Selected embryogenic calli weremaintained on MS agar or liquid medium with 4.5 µM2,4-D.To induce somatic embryo development, embryogenic calli andcell clumps were transferred to MS medium lacking 2,4-D. Thefrequency of somatic embryo formation differed between culturetypes with 1570 embryos formed per Petri dish from callus cultureand 5514 embryos formed per flask from cell suspension cultures.Somatic embryos formed on agar medium had larger cotyledonsthan those of embryos formed in liquid medium. GA₃treatmentwas necessary to induce germination from somatic embryos. Therate of plant conversion was 97% in somatic embryos from callusculture and 76% in embryos from liquid culture. Regeneratedplantlets were successfully acclimatized in the glasshouse.Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company Eleutherococcus senticosus, micro propagation, somatic embryogenesis.     

Relationship between auxin-induced cell proliferation and somatic embryogenesis in culture of carrot cotyledons

We elucidated the relationship between cell proliferation and somatic embryogenesis in the culture of carrot cotyledons. Fresh weights of the cotyledon expiants were determined every five days while being cultured on a medium containing 2,4-D. Callus production increased exponentially from Day 20 to Day 25, showing a two-fold rate of proliferation. To examine the embryogenic potential of the callus, we pre-cultured cotyledon explants on an MS medium with 2,4-D, then transferred them to an MS basal medium at five-day intervals. Somatic embryos formed most frequently when the cotyledons were pre-cultured for 20 days on an MS medium that contained 5 μ2,4-D. The frequency of somatic embryo formation was 81%, while that of normal embryos with two cotyledons was 51% among those formed on a hormone-free medium. We used FACScan analysis to relate the embryogenic potential of the callus to the S phase in the cell cycle of cultured cells. The S phase was high after 25 days of culture on the medium with 5 μM 2,4-D. In contrast, the frequency of normal embryogenesis was higher at Day 20 of the pre-culture period. Culturing embryogenic calli on a medium with 5 μM 2,4-D was most favorable for producing somatic embryos with two cotyledons. We verified that active somatic embryogenesis was apparently related to cell division activity; somatic embryos induced from actively dividing cells were apt to accompany cotyledonary abnormality.     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Cultured Leaf Explants of Zea mays

Young leaf segments of Zea mays L. seedlings were cultured onMurashige and Skoog's basal nutrient medium supplemented with2 mg l^–1 2, 4-D and sub-cultured on medium containing8 mg l^–1 2,4-D. Two types of callus tissues appeared—embryogenicand non-embryogenic. The embryogenic callus tissue producednumerous somatic embryos which on transfer to media containinglow amounts of 2,4-D or ABA produced plantlets. Callus tissuesexhibited embryogenic potential for more than 1 year. Zea mays L. cv. Ageti-76, Zea mays L. cv. N-L-D-Comp., maize, leaf, callus, somatic embryogenesis, regeneration     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Regeneration of in Plantlets in Pomegranate

Plantlets were regenerated from somatic embryos originatingfrom cotyledonary tissues of pomegranate (Punica granatum) throughmultiple somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic cell clusters proliferatedvigorously with regular sub-culturing after 20 d on RBM-II mediumcontaining 1 µM kinetin (KN), 2 µM benzylamino purine(BAP) and 5 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D).Developmental stages of somatic embryos were expressed on sub-culturingwith a low level of 2, 4-D (2.5 µM). Embryogenic initialscells were small, round to oval, thick-walled, contained densecytoplasm which stained with acetocarmine and were usually attachedto non-embryogenic cells. Embryo maturation was obtained onRBM-III and IV media to produce young seedlings on the initiationof the first long tap root. Punica granatum L., pomegranate, multiple somatic embryogenesis, callus culture, plant regeneration     

Identification of 2,4-D-responsive proteins in embryogenic callus of Valencia sweet orange (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus sinensis</Emphasis> Osbeck) following osmotic stress

The compound 2,4-Dicholorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is an important growth regulator which is used in the majority of embryogenic cell and tissue culture systems. However, 2,4-D also appears to have a negative effect on growth and development of plant tissues and organs cultured in vitro. For example, 2,4-D exerts inhibition on in vitro somatic embryo initiation and/or development of most citrus species. To understand the molecular mechanism by which 2,4-D inhibits somatic embryogenesis (SE), proteomic changes of Valencia sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) embryogenic callus induced by treatments with a high concentration of 2,4-D (6 mg l⁻¹) was investigated. Nine 2,4-D-responsive proteins were identified, of which eight were up-regulated and one was down-regulated. Interestingly, three of the eight up-regulated proteins were osmotic stress-associated, suggesting that 2,4-D induced osmotic stress in Valencia embryogenic callus. This speculation was supported by results from our physiological studies: 2,4-D treated callus cells exhibited increased cytoplasm concentration with a significant reduction in relative water content (RWC) and an obvious increase in levels of two osmolytes (proline and soluble sugar). Taken together, our results suggested that 2,4-D could inhibit somatic embryo initiation by, at least in part, inducing osmotic stress to citrus callus cells.     

Somatic Embryogenesis or Shoot Formation Following High 2,4-D Pulse-Treatment of Mature Embryos of Paspalum scrobiculatum

Mature zygotic embryos of Paspalum scrobiculatum L. cv. PSC 1 on MS or N₆ nutrient medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-D (4.5 – 22.5 μM) formed embryogenic callus, which differentiated into somatic embryos within 5 weeks of culture. The somatic embryos after transfer to hormone-free regeneration medium germinated and formed plantlets. Of the two nutrient formulations, N₆ was relatively better than MS for somatic embryogenesis. A culture for 11 d on 100 μM 2,4-D was essential for the establishment of an embryogenic callus. Shorter duration, 4-d or 7-d culture on 2,4-D medium, supported some proliferation and subsequent differentiation into shoot-buds or multiple-shoots, in high-frequency cultures. This is first instance in monocots of a controlled regeneration response; either somatic embryogenesis or shoot formation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High frequency plant regeneration from immature ovule-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum

Culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in cell suspension cultures of Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum are described. Immature ovules formed embryogenic calluses at a frequency of 40% when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The optimum ovule size for embryogenic callus formation ranged from 1 to 1.5 mm in length. Cell suspension cultures were established from embryogenic calluses using MS liquid medium containing 4.52 μM 2,4-D. Upon plating onto MS basal medium, cell aggregates from cell suspension cultures produced somatic embryos which then developed into plantlets. Regenerated plantlets were transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a growth chamber. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Plant regeneration protocol of medicinally important <Emphasis Type="Italic">Andrographis paniculata</Emphasis> (Burm. F.) Wallich <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex</Emphasis> Nees via somatic embryogenesis

Summary In vitro propagation of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wallich ex Nees through somatic embryogenesis, and influence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-1) on induction, maturation, and conversion of somatic embryos were investigated. The concentration of 2,4-D in callus induction medium determined the induction, efficacy of somatic embryogenesis, embryo maturation, and conversion. Friable callus initiated from leaf and internode explants grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.26, 4.52, 6.78, and 9.05μM 2,4-D started to form embryos at 135, 105, 150, and 185d, respectively, after explant establishment. Callus initiated at 13.56μM 2,4-D did not induce embryos even after 240 d, whereas those initiated on MS medium with 4.52μM 2,4-D was most favorable for the formation and maturation of somatic embryos. Callus subcultured on the medium with reduced concentration of 2,4-D (2.26μM) became embryogenic. This embryogenic callus gave rise to the highest number of embryos (mean of 312 embryos) after being transferred to half-strength MS basal liquid medium. The embryos were grown only up to the torpedo stage. A higher frequency of embryos developed from callus initiated on 2.26 or 4.52 μM 2,4-D underwent maturation compared to that initiated on higher concentrations of 2.4-D. The addition of 11.7μM silver nitrate to half-strength MS liquid medium resulted in 71% of embryos undergoing maturation, while 83% of embryos developed into plantlets after being transferred to agar inedium with 0.44 μMN⁶-benzyladenine and 1.44 μM gibberellic acid. Most plantlets (88%) survived under field conditions and were morphologically identical to the parent plant.     

Somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos of annatto (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bixa orellana</Emphasis> L.)

Summary In order to establish a protocol for somatic embryogenesis of annatto, Bixa orellana L., seeds (70 d after anthesis) from field-grown orchards had their coats dissected off, and immature zygotic embryos were excised aseptically from immature seeds collected from field-grown trees and used as explants. Embryos were cultured onto MS medium supplemented with or without different combinations of plant growth regulators and activated charcoal. Direct somatic embryogenesis was induced on explants incubated either in Murashige and Skoog (MS), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and/or kinetin-supplemented media after 25 d of culture. The highest frequencies of embryogenesis and embryos per explant were obtained on medium containing 2.26 μM 2.4-D, 4.52μM kinetin, and 1.0 gl⁻¹ activated charcoal. The presence of charcoal was critical in increasing embryos per explant, to reduce the time to obtain somatic embryos, and mainly to prevent callus proliferation and subsequent indirect somatic embryogenesis. No embryogenic response was achieved when mature embryos were used. It was also observed that embryogenic response was significantly affected by genotype. Histological investigations revealed that primary direct somatic embryos differentiated exclusively from the protodermis or together with the outer ground meristem cell layers of the zygotic embryo axis, and from the protodermis of zygotic cotyledons. Diverse morphological differences, including malformed embryos, were observed among somatic embryos. In spite of the high frequencies of histodifferentiation of all embryo stages, a very low conversion frequency to normal plants from somatic embryos was observed.     

Isolation of putative glycoprotein gene from early somatic embryo of carrot and its possible involvement in somatic embryo development

Somatic embryogenesis is a unique process in plant cells. For example, embryogenic cells (EC) of carrot (Daucus carota) maintained in a medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) regenerate whole plants via somatic embryogenesis after the depletion of 2,4-D. Although some genes such as C-ABI3 and C-LEC1 have been found to be involved in somatic embryogenesis, the critical molecular and cellular mechanisms for somatic embryogenesis are unknown. To characterize the early mechanism in the induction of somatic embryogenesis, we isolated genes expressed during the early stage of somatic embryogenesis after 2,4-D depletion. Subtractive hybridization screening and subsequent RNA gel blot analysis suggested a candidate gene, Carrot Early Somatic Embryogenesis 1 (C-ESE1). C-ESE1 encodes a protein that has agglutinin and S-locus-glycoprotein domains and its expression is highly specific to primordial cells of somatic embryo. Transgenic carrot cells with reduced expression of C-ESE1 had wide intercellular space and decreased polysaccharides on the cell surface and showed delayed development in somatic embryogenesis. The importance of cell-to-cell attachment in somatic embryogenesis is discussed.     

Formation of embryogenic cell clumps from carrot epidermal cells is suppressed by 5-azacytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor

Using a direct somatic embryogenesis system in carrot, we examined the role of DNA methylation in the change of cellular differentiation state, from somatic to embryogenic. 5-Azacytidine (aza-C), an inhibitor of DNA methylation suppressed the formation of embryogenic cell clumps from epidermal carrot cells. Aza-C also downregulated the expression of DcLEC1c, a LEC1-like embryonic gene in carrot, during morphogenesis of embryos. A carrot DNA methyltransferase gene, Met1-5 was expressed transiently after the induction of somatic embryogenesis by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), before the formation of embryogenic cell clumps. These findings suggested the significance of DNA methylation in acquiring the embryogenic competence in somatic cells in carrot.     

Induction of somatic embryogenesis from female flower buds of elite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schisandra chinensis</Emphasis>

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) was induced in female flower buds from mature Schisandra chinensis cultivar ‘Hongzhenzhu’. Somatic embryo structures were induced at a low frequency from unopened female flower buds and excised unopened on Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium containing 4.0 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Friable embryogenic calli were induced from somatic embryo structures after three to four subcultures on initiation medium. The frequencies of mature somatic embryo germination and plantlet conversion were low, but increased in the presence of gibberellic acid (GA₃). Some germinated somatic embryos could form friable embryogenic calli on medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs). The germination and conversion frequencies of somatic embryos from embryogenic calli induced using PGR-free medium were higher than for somatic embryos from embryogenic calli induced on medium containing 2,4-D. Most somatic embryos from 2,4-D-induced embryogenic calli had trumpet-shaped embryos, and most somatic embryos from PGR-free medium–induced embryogenic calli had two or three cotyledons. Histological observation indicated that two- and three-cotyledon embryos had defined shoot primordia, but most of the trumpet-shaped embryos yielded plantlets that lacked or had poorly developed meristem tissue. Cytological and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses indicated no evidence of genetic variation in the plantlets of somatic embryo origin.     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中Ca^2＋和ATPase的超微结构定位研究

研究2,4-D诱导枸杞体细胞胚发生中的作用及其与Ca^2 含量和ATPase活性时空分布动态之间的关系,以探讨2,4-D诱导植物体细胞胚发生的作用机理。采用超微细胞化学定位的方法,跟踪分析了体细胞胚发生与发育的不同时期,Ca^2 和ATPase活性的时空分布动态。结果表明：2,4-D是诱导离体培养的枸杞体细胞进入胚胎状态的关键激素。在含有2,4-D和不含2,4-D的培养条件下,分别诱导枸杞体细胞脱分化后,再转入除去2,4-D的MS培养基上,进行分化培养,结果前者可分化形成体细胞胚,因而称为胚性愈伤组织。后者在相同条件却不能分化形成胚,故称为非胚性愈伤组织。在2,4-D诱导枸杞的胚性愈伤组织中,胚性细胞分化早期的细胞间隙和细胞壁上均有Ca^2 沉淀。随着胚性细胞的分化、分裂和多细胞原胚形成,这时Ca^2 在细胞内的分布主要集中在细胞膜和液泡膜上;球形胚期在细胞核中Ca^2 呈弥散性分布。在此过程中,ATPase活性时空分布与Ca^2 的定位变化具有高度一致性,仅仅稍滞后于Ca^2 出现的时间。而在胚性细胞分化早期,ATPase活性同样位于质膜上,随后在液泡和细胞核都可见ATPase活性分布。而在非胚性愈伤组织中,则未见Ca^2 和ATPase活性呈时空动态分布,而且随着非胚性细胞的液泡化,无论是Ca^2 含量,还是ATPase活性都呈逐渐降低的趋势。表明Ca^2 和ATPase活性变化与2,4-D诱导的胚性细胞分化和发育密切相关。并由此推测,Ca^2 和ATPase的时空分布对胚性细胞分化中的信息传递和调控相关基因表达起着关键性作用。     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中Ca2+和ATPase的超微结构定位研究

研究2,4-D诱导枸杞体细胞胚发生中的作用及其与Ca~(2+)含量和ATPase活性时空分布动态之间的关系,以探讨2,4-D诱导植物体细胞胚发生的作用机理。采用超微细胞化学定位的方法,跟踪分析了体细胞胚发生与发育的不同时期,Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性的时空分布动态。结果表明:2,4-D是诱导离体培养的枸杞体细胞进入胚胎状态的关键激素。在含有2,4-D和不含2,4-D的培养条件下,分别诱导枸杞体细胞脱分化后,再转入除去2,4-D的MS培养基上,进行分化培养,结果前者可分化形成体细胞胚,因而称为胚性愈伤组织。后者在相同条件却不能分化形成胚,故称为非胚性愈伤组织。在2,4-D诱导枸杞的胚性愈伤组织中,胚性细胞分化早期的细胞间隙和细胞壁上均有Ca~(2+)沉淀。随着胚性细胞的分化、分裂和多细胞原胚形成,这时Ca~(2+)在细胞内的分布主要集中在细胞膜和液泡膜上;球形胚期在细胞核中Ca~(2+)呈弥散性分布。在此过程中,ATPase活性时空分布与Ca~(2+)的定位变化具有高度一致性,仅仅稍滞后于Ca~(2+)出现的时间。而在胚性细胞分化早期,ATPase活性同样位于质膜上,随后在液泡和细胞核都可见ATPase活性分布。而在非胚性愈伤组织中,则未见Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性呈时空动态分布,而且随着非胚性细胞的液泡化,无论是Ca~(2+)含量,还是ATPase活性都呈逐渐降低的趋势。表明Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性变化与2,4-D诱导的胚性细胞分化和发育密切相关。并由此推测,Ca~(2+)和ATPase的时空分布对胚性细胞分化中的信息传递和调控相关基因表达起着关键性作用。     

A novel regeneration system for a wild passion fruit species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Passiflora cincinnata</Emphasis> Mast.) based on somatic embryogenesis from mature zygotic embryos

The objective of the present work was to induce somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryos of Passiflora cincinnata Masters. Zygotic embryos formed calli on media with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4.5 μM benzyladenine (BA) after 30 days of in vitro culture. A concentration of 18.1 μM 2,4-D resulted in the largest number of somatic embryos. Embryogenic calli were yellowish and friable, forming whitish proembryogenic masses. Morphologically, embryogenic cells were small and had large nuclei and dense cytoplasm, whereas non-embryogenic cells were elongated, with small nuclei and less dense cytoplasm. Calli cultured under white light on basal Murashige and Skoog’s medium with activated charcoal produced embryos in all developmental stages. There were differences among the treatments, with some leading to the production of calli with embryos and some only to callus formation. Some abnormalities were associated with somatic embryos, including fused axes, fused cotyledons and polycotyledonary embryos. Production of secondary somatic embryos occurred in the first cycle of primary embryo development. Secondary embryos differentiated from the surface of the protodermal layer of primary embryos with intense cell proliferation, successive mitotic divisions in the initial phase of embryoid development, and a vascular system formed with no connection to the parental tissue. This secondary embryogenic system of P. cincinnata is characterized by intense proliferation and maintenance of embryogenic competence after successive subcultures. This reproducible protocol opens new prospects for massive propagation and is an alternative to the current organogenesis-based transformation protocol.     

Purification and immunohistochemical detection of an embryogenic cell protein in carrot

An embryogenic cell protein from carrot (Daucus carota L.), designated ECP31 for embryogenic cell protein and with a relative mass of 31,000, was purified by sequential column chromatographies. Its apparent relative mass was estimated to be 120,000 by gel filtration. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical studies showed that ECP31 was preferentially localized in the peripheral cells of clusters of embryogenic cells in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and disappeared during the course of somatic embryogenesis in the absence of 2,4-D. ECP31 began to accumulate on the 33rd day after initiation of cultures of hypocotyl segments on Murashige-Skoog medium with 2,4-D, when callus began to appear on the segments. In dry seeds, lower amounts of ECP31 were located throughout the entire zygotic embryos but not in endosperm. ECP31 was also detected in provascular tissue of malformed somatic embryos.     

Somatic embryogenesis in cell suspension cultures of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Suspension cultures of calli derived from seedling leaf explants of Cajanus cajan L. var. Vamban-1 produced somatic embryos. The highest embryogenic frequency was induced on semisolid MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with 6.78 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The maximum frequency of somatic embryogenesis was observed when this callus was transferred to MS liquid medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-D. Further studies on ontogeny of somatic embryos showed that the cells destined to become somatic embryos divided into spherical proembryos. Subsequent divisions in the proembryo led to globular, heart and torpedo-shaped somatic embryos. The germination of somatic embryos occurred on auxin-free MS basal medium. Effects of various auxins, cytokinins and carbohydrates on induction and frequency of somatic embryogenesis were studied. A medium supplemented with 4.52 μM of 2,4-D and 87.64 mM sucrose was effective in inducing a higher frequency of somatic embryos, whereas cytokinin had no effect and led to recallusing of embryos. About 5–6% of embryos converted into plants. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Analysis of Peroxidase in Cultured Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Cotyledons

Somatic embryos were induced in lettuce cotyledons culturedon Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing either 2 mgl^–1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.2 mg l^–1 naphthaleneaceticacid (NAA) or 0.2 mg l^–1 BA and 2 mg l^–1 NAA. Bothcombinations induced a frequency of over 70%. The explants culturedonly in the presence of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)did not produce somatic embryos. The development of the embryoidswas studied histologically and by scanning electron microscopy.Peroxidase activity was assayed and the isoenzyme pattern ofcalluses was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Callus from an embryogenic line showed a much higher peroxidaseactivity than that from a non-embryogenic line, one extra peroxidaseisozyme band being present and typical of the embryogenic callus.No qualitative differences were detectable between the embryogeniccalluses. Lactuca sativa L, lettuce, somatic embryogenesis, peroxidases, isoenzymes