Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from seeds of wild<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Dicentra spectabilis</Emphasis> (L.) LEM

Regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from callus was studied in Dicentra spectabilis. To obtain somatic embryogenic callus, we cultured D. spectabilis seeds on MS basal media supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The highest percentage of embryogenic callus formation was observed on media containing 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D under dark conditions. Somatic embryogenesis was studied by transferring the callus onto MS basal medium containing different concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/l) of KIN (kinetin) and/or BAP. Somatic embryogenesis on MS basal media with 1.0 mg/l of KIN was excellent under light conditions. Somatic embryos were rooted by transferring them to half-strength MS basal media containing 2 g/l Phytagel. About 64.2% of the somatic embryos converted to rooted plantlets, 4% showed secondary embryogenesis and 31.8% did not develop and died. Rooted plantlets showed a 46% survival rate when acclimatized ex vitro.Abbreviations BAP 6-Benzylaminopurine - 2.4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - KIN Kinetin - SEM Scanning electron microscopyCommunicated by H. Lörz     

Shoot regeneration and somatic embryogenesis from different explants of Brahmi [Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst.]

The morphogenetic potential of node, internode and leaf explants of Brahmi [Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst.] was investigated to develop reliable protocols for shoot regeneration and somatic embryogenesis. The explants were excised from shoots raised from axillary buds of nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium. Presence of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) or kinetin influenced the degree of callus formation, from which a large number of shoot buds regenerated. Leaf explants gave the largest number of shoot buds followed by node and internode explants. BA was superior to kinetin; BA at 1.5 – 2.0 mg/l appeared to be optimum for inducing the maximum number of shoot buds. MS + 0.1 mg/l BA + 0.2 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid was the most suitable for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were rooted on full- or half-strength MS medium with or without 0.5 – 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid or 0.5 – 1.0 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid. The rooted plants were successfully established in soil. Calli derived from nodal explants cultured on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), when subcultured on MS medium containing 0.1 or 0.5 mg/l BA or 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D + 0.1 or 0.5 mg/l kinetin, developed somatic embryos. The somatic embryos germinated either on the same media or on MS basal medium, and the resulting plantlets were successfully transplanted to soil. Received: 25 September 1996 / Revision received: 23 October 1997 / Accepted: 12 November 1997     

Direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from single cell suspension cultures of Elymus giganteus Vahl

Summary A yellowish, nodular callus was induced from mature embryos of Elymus giganteus Vahl on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg/l kinetin, from which a cell suspension culture was initiated in liquid MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D, 1.0 mg/l kinetin and 0.2 mg/1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). By filtering through a series of sieves with decreasing mesh sizes and collecting the resultant filtrate, a suspension culture composed mainly of single embryogenic cells was established. In a medium containing 0.3 mg/l 2,4-D, 1.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) and 500 mg/l casein hydrolysate (CH), the single cells underwent direct somatic embryogenesis resulting in the formation of proembryos. These proembryos developed into mature embryos when placed in a double-layer liquid overlay culture. Intact plants were developed from somatic embryos when they were transferred onto solidified MS medium without added growth regulators.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall

Plants were obtained via somatic embryogenesis in callus derived from in vitro raised leaf and petiole explants of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Callus was induced on a Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with either 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-d 1 mg l^-1) and kinetin (KN 0.5 mg l^-1) with coconut water (CW 10% v/v) or naphthalene acetic acid (NAA 5 mg l^-1) and benzylaminopurine (BAP 1 mg l^-1). Somatic embryos appeared after 2–3 months or 2 subculture passages when 2,4-d or NAA induced source of the callus was transferred to a MS medium containing BAP (1 mg l^-1) and NAA (0.1 mg l^-1). For successful plantlet formation, the somatic embryos were transferred to a medium containing 1/4 strength MS nutrient with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA 1 mg l^-1). Alternatively, the somatic embryos were dipped in a concentrated solution of IBA for 5 min and placed on a hormone free medium. Complete plantlets were formed after 4 weeks and were transferred successfully to soil.CIMAP Publication No. 1020.     

Polyethylene glycol and abscisic acid improve maturation and regeneration of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Panax ginseng</Emphasis> somatic embryos

Embryogenic culture was initiated from mature zygotic embryos of Panax ginseng. Multiple somatic embryos formed and proliferated on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.26 M) and kinetin (0.046 M). Mature as well as immature somatic embryos grew into plantlets lacking roots on the same media. Histomorphological analysis of somatic embryos treated with abscisic acid (ABA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) showed a slight improvement in the root meristem organization of torpedo-stage embryos (embryos were more compact and their cells exhibited a lower degree of vacuolation). Shoot regeneration of non-treated somatic embryos was 31% while that for somatic embryos treated with PEG 4000 and ABA was 70%. Moreover, 75% of plants regenerated from PEG- and ABA-treated embryos formed roots while plants from non-treated embryos did not form roots.Abbreviations ABA (±)-Abscisic acid - BAP N ⁶-Benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA ₃ Gibberellic acid - Kin Kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - PEG 4000 Polyethylene glycol 4000 - PGR Plant growth regulators Communicated by H. van Onckelen     

Somatic embryogenesis in Encephalartos cycadifolius

Callus cultures of Encephalartos cycadifolius were established from zygotic embryo explants on a modified B5 medium containing 1 mg l^–1 2,4-D and 1 mg l^–1 kinetin. Callus was transferred to media containing various combinations of 2,4-D and kinetin for improvement of somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos were produced on media with several growth regulator combinations. The somatic embryos developed from proembryos, which developed long suspensors. A dicotyledonary embryo formed at the distal end of the suspensor. The embryos turned green in light. When transferred to a medium containing 1 mg l^–1 ABA the somatic embryos matured. The suspensors desiccated and these embryos rooted when transferred to a medium without phytohormones.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis in cotton (Gossypium). II. Requirements for embryo development and plant regeneration

Calli of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) initiated from seedling hypocotyl tissue were placed in liquid suspension and maintained by serial subculture in hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Suspensions were sieved and globular embryos collected, washed, resuspended in basal medium and plated onto various semi-solid media. High inorganic salts (MS), low salt (2/3 MS), excess KNO₃, and the growth regulators napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃) and kinetin were tested for their effects on somatic embryo maturation. Long-term embryo proliferation and maturation were best on medium containing MS plus 1.9g/l KNO₃. Embryos 3 mm to 10 mm in size were removed from this plating medium and placed on sterile vermiculite saturated with Stewart and Hsu's medium plus 0.1 mg/l indoleacetic acid (IAA). Plants were recovered from 10.6% of the embryos. When 5 mm embryos were placed on this medium, 30% of the embryos formed plants within six weeks. Smaller embryos required a longer period of development on the vermiculite and the addition of fresh medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l GA₃. Plants with an extensive root system and two true leaves were removed from sterile culture and potted in either one-to-one peat and sand, or vermiculite. Eighty percent of the regenerants were successfully hardened when glass beakers of increasing size (10 to 150 ml) were sequentially placed over the young plants during a two-week period.     

Somatic embryogenesis in sisal (Agave sisalana Perr. ex. Engelm)

A protocol has been developed for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of sisal (Agave sisalana Perr. ex. Engelm). Embryogenic callus cultures were initiated from young shoots raised in vitro from the stem portion of the bulbil on medium supplemented with 1–2 mg l^-1 kinetin (KN) and 0.2–0.5 mg l^-1 -naphthaleneacetic acid plus KN or 1–1.5 mg l^-1 benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 0.25–0.5 mg l^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid plus BAP or 0.5–1.0 mg l^-1 KN. Embryos at various developmental stages (globular-, heart- or torpedo-shaped) produced mature and germinating embryos on being transferred to a new medium containing 0–0.25 mg l^-1 KN. After 28 days, a maximum of 76% germinated embryos was obtained on a medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l^-1 KN. The capacity for embryogenesis remained constant in the callus upon subculturing on the same medium for more than 48 months. Histological observations showed a distinct multicellular origin for most of the somatic embryos as they developed from epidermal, sub-epidermal and inside callus cells, while a few of them originated from a superficial callus cell. Plantlets regenerated from embryos were transferred to the field where their survival rate was 100%.Abbreviations BAP Benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA Indoleacetic acid - KN Kinetin - NAA -Naphthaleneacetic acidCommunicated by W. Barz     

Rapid multiplication of Polyscias filicifolia by secondary somatic embryogenesis

Efficient plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis was achieved in Polyscias filicifolia. Embryogenic calluses were induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ benzylaminopurine (BAP; type I callus) and on MS medium with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.01 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (type II callus) from leaf explants of a 2-yr-old plant. Primary somatic embryos (PSEs) developed after four passages of suspension culture established from embryogenic callus when cultured in liquid half-strength MS medium (1/2 MS) without growth regulators. PSEs in the cotyledonary stage were multiplied by adventitious embryogenesis. Single secondary somatic embryos (SSEs) or their clusters developed at the base of PSE hypocotyls and regenerated into plantlets in a one-step process on plant growth regulator-free 1/2 MS medium. Low sucrose concentration of 15 g l⁻¹ promoted development of normal SSEs. All SSEs regenerated into single, well-rooted plantlets on a Nitsch and Nitsch medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin, 0.1 mg l⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid, and 10 mg l⁻¹ adenine sulfate. Subsequent two subculture cycles on the same medium were necessary to obtain plantlets sufficiency developed to allow successful transfer to the soil. Rooted plantlets were established in a peat mixture with 90% survival, with the plants showing normal morphological characteristics.     

Induction of somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oldenlandia umbellata</Emphasis> L., a dye-yielding medicinal plant

Oldenlandia umbellata L., commonly known as “Indian madder”, is an ancient Indian herb valued as a source of red color dye and various medicinal products. In this study, successful protocols have been developed for induction of somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in O. umbellata. Emerging young leaves, shoot apices, and stems were used as explants, grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various auxins, including indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid, napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, each at levels ranging between 0.1 and 0.5 mg/l, cytokinins, including benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin, each at concentration ranging between 0.5 and 5 mg/l, with and without coconut milk (CM) at levels of 0.5–5%. For callus induction, NAA at 2.5 mg/l was optimal; while, for rapid embryogenic callus induction, 0.2 mg/l NAA, 0.5 mg/l BA, and 0.1% CM induced the highest frequency (95.86%). Shoots developed upon transfer of embryogenic calli to MS medium containing 1.5 mg/l BA, 0.3 mg/l NAA and 1% CM. For root induction, 0.3 mg/l NAA and 1.0% CM promoted highest and earliest rooting. C. Rajasekaran contributed equally to this work.     

Changes of 6-benzylaminopurine and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentrations in plant tissue culture media in the presence of activated charcoal

Somatic embryos and embryogenic callus were initiated from immature zygotic embryos of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). These somatic embryos were multiplied by adventitious (secondary and tertiary) embryogenesis and their growth and development were dependent on growth hormones in the medium. Auxins, 2,4-d, NAA, and IAA at 1.0 mg l^-1 were effective in inducing secondary and tertiary somatic embryos, which proliferated directly from the apical or cotyledonary portions of the primary somatic embryos. Single somatic embryos or clusters or embryos developed from the explanted primary embryos. Cytokinin (Kn, BA) inhibited adventitious embryogenesis. Secondary somatic embryos developed to maturation and later regenerated into plantlets in two stage process; firstly elongation of the shoot axes on MS +1.0 mg l^-1 Kn, secondly formation of root on 1.0 mg l^-1 Kn+1.0 mg^-1 GA₃ medium.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA in-doleacetic acid - Kn kinetin - BA benzylaminopurine - PSE primary somatic embryo - SSE secondary somatic embryo - TSE tertiary somatic embryo     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of squash Cucurbita pepo L cv. YC 60

Plant regeneration from tissue cultures of summer squash, Cucurbita pepo L., cv. YC60, has been observed. Somatic embryos organized from shoot apex derived callus cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.2 mg/l 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.8 mg/l benzylaminopurine, and 0.1 mg/l kinetin. Embryos developed into plantlets by transfer of immature somatic embryos to MS medium with 0.05 mg/l NAA and 0.05 mg/l kinetin. Regenerated plants appeared morphologically normal and set fruits with seeds which could germinate normally.Abbreviation BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2, 4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - KN kinetin - NAA -naphthyleneacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog - 2,4,5-T 2, 4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf derived callus of winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.]

Somatic embryos were obtained from callus cultures derived from leaf explants of the winged bean, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. Initiation and development of the somatic embryos occurred with a two-step culture method. Callus cultures initiated on MS medium with NAA and BAP, upon transfer to a new medium with IAA and BAP, produced somatic embryos. Maximum embryogenesis of 60% was obtained on induction medium with 0.5 mg/l NAA plus 1.0 mg/l BAP followed by transfer to a secondary medium with 0.1 mg/l IAA and 2.0 mg/l BAP. Optimal embryo germination and plantlet development was achieved on MS medium with 0.2 mg/l BAP plus 0.1 mg/l IBA. The regenerated plants were successfully transferred to glasshouse conditions.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - IBA Indole-3-butyric acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - KN Kinetin     

High frequency somatic embryogenesis and regeneration in different genotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.) Moench from immature inflorescence explants

This study describes a protocol for the induction of high frequency somatic embryogenesis directly from immature inflorescence explants in three sorghum genotypes (SPV-462, SPV-839, and M35-1). The effect of various growth regulators on somatic embryogenesis was investigated. High frequency somatic embrogenesis was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and addition of 0.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (KN) in the medium further improved the formation of somatic embryos per explant in all genotypes. The presence of 1.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine plus 1.0 mg l⁻¹ KN in MS medium was most efficient for maturation and germination of somatic embryos. The genotype SPV-462 performed better than SPV-839 and M35-1 in terms of induction and germination of somatic embryos. Organogenesis also occurred in callus of all genotypes at the frequency of 20–25%. Regenerated plants from somatic embryos were successfully acclimatized in soil in the greenhouse where plants were grown to maturity, flowered, and set seeds. Regenerated plants appeared normal like that of the seed-raised plants.     

Somatic embryogenesis from mature embryo-derived leaflets of peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)

Summary Embryogenic masses were obtained from immature leaves of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultured on a medium containing 20 mg/l 2,4-D. Somatic embryos developed from these masses following transfer to a medium containing 3 mg/l 2,4-D. The embryo morphology was quite variable. Following transfer to hormone-free medium, these embryos germinated. Shoot elongation was obtained in 25% of the embryos following transfer to a medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l each of BAP and Kn. The plants grown in vitro by this method survived in sand:soil mixture and were grown to maturity.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - BAP 6-benzyl amino purine - 2,4-D 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - Kn kinetin - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4,5-T 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid - Z zeatin     

Callus induction and plant regeneration from shoot portions of mature embryos of high tannin sorghums

Callus and plant regenertion were induced from shoot portions of mature embryos (dry seeds) of five high tannin Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cultivars. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium with altered concentrations of 5 salts, supplemented with 150 mg/L L-asparagine, 5mg/L 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.05mg/L kinetin. Calli which were yellow and globular were formed with 70–90% frequencies. The subculture medium which gave best results was MS with 2mg/L 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5mg/L kinetin. Plants were regenerated on MS medium supplemented with 150mg/L L-asparagine and 0.2mg/L kinetin with regeneration frequencies of 11–48%.Abbreviations 2,4-D dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Induction of somatic embryogenesis and genetic transformation of ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra willd.)

Summary Mature embryo axes of the Ohio buckeye were germinated on a medium containing 1 mg gibberellic acid (GA) per 1. Three wk following germination, stem, petiole, and leaf blade tissues were excised and placed on media containing either 1 mg (4.5 μM) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) per 1, 1 mg (4.7 μM) kinetin per 1, 1 mg of both 2,4-D (4.5 μM) and kinetin (4.7 μM per 1, or 2 mg of both 2,4-D (9.1 μM) and kinetin (9.3 μM) per 1. Embryogenic tissue was formed only from stem segments after 2–3 mo. of culture on media containing both 2,4-D and kinetin. Embryogenic tissue could be either maintained on solid medium for proliferation of embryogenic callus or placed in liquid medium for proliferation of embryogenic suspension cultures. For transformation of suspension cultures, tissues were inoculated with Agrobacterium EHA105 containing the binary plasmid Vec035, briefly sonicated, and cultured in the presence of 100 μM acetosyringone for 2 d. To eliminate Agrobacterium, tissues were washed and placed in liquid proliferation medium containing either 500 mg Cefotaxime per 1 or 400 mg TimentinŖ per 1. Selection on 20 mg hygromycin per 1 was initiated 2 wk after inoculation, and after an additional 10 wk, hygromycin-resistant tissue was isolated and separately cultured. Although some hygromycinresistant clones were recovered with no sonication treatment, four to five times more clones were obtained following sonication. Putative transformed clones were confirmed to be transgenic via both histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay and southern hybridization analyses. Development of transgenic embryos occurred on a growth regulator-free medium containing 3% sucrose. After 2 mo. of embryo development, the embryos were transferred to fresh medium for germination.     

Regulation of organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis by auxin in melon,Cucumis melo L.

Various tissues of seeds and seedlings of melon were cultured in vitro to study the effects of auxin concentration on organogenesis and embryogenesis. Adventitious shoots and somatic embryos were formed from explants of cotyledons of mature seeds, hypocotyls of seedlings, and leaves and petioles of young plantlets. Expanded cotyledons of seedlings formed only adventitious shoots. All tissues responded similarly to the 2,4-D concentration in the media, that is, adventitious shoots were formed at low concentration, callus proliferated without differentiation at intermediate concentration and somatic embryos were induced at high concentration. Cotyledons of mature seeds formed both adventitious shoots and somatic embryos more efficiently than any other tissues cultured.Effects of three auxins, 2,4-D, NAA and IAA, on organogenesis and embryogenesis were compared using cotyledons of mature seeds. Adventitious shoots were formed at low level of auxins (0 to 0.01 mg/l 2,4-D; 0 to 0.1 mg/l NAA; 0 to 1.0 mg/l IAA), and embryos were formed at high level of auxins (1.0 to 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D; 3.0 to 10.0 mg/l NAA; 20.0 to 100.0 mg/l IAA). IAA gave more efficient shoot formation and embryogenesis than the other auxins.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA 3indoleacetic acid - BA 6-benzylaminopurine - MS Murashige and Skoog     

Toward the production of artemisinin through tissue culture: Determining nutrient-hormone combinations suitable for cell suspension cultures

Summary Artemisia annua L. is the source of a potent antimalarial, artemisinin. As part of a program to produce artemisinin through tissue culture, a series of 14 multifactorial experiments were conducted to determine suitable conditions for initiating and maintaining friable callus fromA. annua. In the first six experiments, three different nutrient formulations [Gamborg B5 (B5), Murashige and Skoog (MS), and Whetmore and Rier (WR)], each with 32 combinations of auxins and cytokinins [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with benzyladenine (BA), or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin)], were tested. Both B5 and WR nutrients supported friable callus formation from leaf explants with some combinations of auxin and cytokinin. Inasmuch as friable callus seemed to be produced over a wider range of auxin and cytokinin concentrations in combination with B5, the remaining experiments were conducted solely with this nutrient formulation. In the remaining eight experiments, it was determined that friable callus formed when combinations of NAA with kinetin or 2,4-D and BA were used with B5 medium. Lighter colored, more friable callus formed in response to 2,4-D and BA than with NAA and kinetin. No single combination of concentrations of auxin and cytokinin seemed to be &#x201C;ideal&#x201D; for producing friable callus. Ranges of 2,4-D from 0.5 to 2.0 with BA between 0.025 and 0.1, or NAA between 0.5 and 2.0 with kinetin between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/liter, produced acceptable results.     

Somatic embryogenesis of agriculturally important lupin species (Lupinus angustifolius,L. albus,L. mutabilis)

Somatic embryos were obtained from immature cotyledons of Lupinus angustifolius, L. albus and L. mutabilis but not from L. luteus. Different kinds of basal media and plant growth regulators in primary and secondary culture were tested. The best induction media were based on B5 and were supplemented with 5 mg I^-1 2,4-D alone or with 0.25 mg I^-1 kinetin. Mature stage somatic embryos were obtained on media containing ABA (0.1–0.5 mg I^-1) and a high NH₄/NO₃ ratio. Embryo germination and plantlet development occurred on MS media supplemented with glutamine or GA₃.