Culture conditions effecting plant regeneration from cotyledons of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Conditions for plant regeneration from excised cotyledons of Vigna radiata were studied. Complete plant developed from the uncallused proximal ends of cotyledons on Murashige & Skoog's (MS), Gamborg's (B₅) and C (MS salts + B₅ vitamins) basal media. The basal medium C was found to be best for plant regeneration. Regeneration frequency, however, varied with genotype, size, orientation and age of explant and the different plant growth regulators combination in the medium. Addition of cytokinins induced callusing at the proximal ends of cotyledons followed by multiple shoot formation. Out of 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN), N (^–2 isopentyl) adenine (2iP) and adenine sulphate (AS), only BAP and KIN were found to be more effective in enhancing the frequency of shoot regeneration. BAP at 1×10^-1M induced maximum (60%) shoot regeneration whereas maximum number of shoots (8 to 9 shoots) per explant was observed with 5×10^-6M BAP. Cotyledons excised from two-day old seedlings were most regenerative. The regenerative response of cotyledons decreased when sliced into two equal parts either longitudinally or transversely. Callusing and organogenic differentiation occured only if the petiolar end of cotyledons was in contact with medium. None of the tested treatments were effective in inducing shoot bud differentiation from subcultured callus. Well developed shoots rooted when incubated on half strength MS, MS and MS basal medium supplemented with IAA (5×10^-6M). The rooted plants were transferred to pots and later established in the field with 60% success.Abbreviations AS adenine sulphate - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - B₅ medium after Gamborg et al. [6], - C Medium with MS salts + B₅ vitamins - 2iP N (^–2 isopentyl) adenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - KIN Kinetin - MS medium after Murashige & Skoog [21] - NAA 1-napthaleneacetic acid     

Genotypic effects on somatic embryognesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of alfalfa

Fifty genotypes of each of three cultivars of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) were tested in three medium protocols for their capacity to produce somatic embryos and plantlets from callus cultures. Highly productive genotypes produced somatic embryos regardless of medium protocol or explant source, while other genotypes produced somatic embryos in a medium-specific or explant-specific fashion. The results showed that embryogenesis in mature leaf-derived calli could be predicted from the frequency of embryo formation in cotyledon-derived calli of the same genotype. The results also indicated that highly productive genotypes can be selected from cultivars with a low frequency of regeneration.     

Callus initiation and regeneration capacities in Brassica species

In order to know the genetic differences of de- and redifferentiation capacities, seven Brassica species (B. campestris, B. nigra, B. oleracea, B. hirta, B. carinata, B. juncea and B. napus) were cultured in vitro, and their response to the medium supplemented with various combinations of auxin and cytokinin hormones was compared. Important factors for callus initiation were shown to be auxin and species. Calli were induced most frequently in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), whereas -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) induced preferentially roots at a concentration of 2 to 5 mg/l. Callus-, root- and shoot-forming capacities from explanted cotyledon tissues were significantly different among the seven Brassica species. Calli derived from cotyledons and hypocotyls of seven species were transferred to MS media with 20g/l sucrose, 0 to 0.1 mg/l NAA and 0 to 4 mg/l kinetin to compare their regeneration capacities. Among the seven species tested, B. napus (2n=4x=38, genome AACC) had the highest shoot forming capacity (20.0%). Other amphiploid species, B. carinata (2n=4x=34, BBCC) and B. juncea (2n=4x=36, AABB) formed shoots at low frequencies (2.8% and 1.2%, respectively). A diploid species, B. oleracea (2n=2x 18, CC) also showed high shoot formation (10.2% on average). This result suggests that the gene(s) controlling shoot formation may be localized in the C genome. Differences were also found among varieties and cultivars within a species. One of the cultivars, Siberian kale (B. oleracea var. acephala) gave about 50% shoot formation. This kale was shown cytologically to be an autotetraploid (2n=4x=36, CCCC), thus probably possessing a double set of the shoot-forming gene(s).     

Studies of cotyledon protoplast cultures from B napus,B. campestris and B. oleracea. II: Callus formation and plant regeneration

Cotyledons from twelve cultivars of Brassica; B. napus (Westar, Eureka, Global, Pivot and Narc 82); B. campestris: (Arlo, Sonja, Bunyip and Wonk Bok) and B. oleracea (Phenomenal Early, Sugar Loaf and Earliball) were used for protoplast isolation and culture in a comparative study of cell colony and callus formation, and plant regeneration. The formation of cell colonies and callus from protoplast cultures were significantly influenced by the light conditions of seed germination. All twelve cultivars showed callus formation from protoplast cultures derived from cotyledons of seedlings grown in dark for 3 days followed by 1 day dim light (dark/dim light-grown). Callus was obtained in all five liquid media used: modified K8P(1), modified K8P(2), modified MS, modified B and modified NN. In contrast, only six cultivars exhibited callus formation from the protoplasts isolated from cotyledons of seedlings germinated under light conditions for 7 days (light-grown) and in only three media: modified K8P(1), modified MS, modified B.Callus, derived from protoplast cultures isolated from dark/dim light-grown cotyledons and grown on K3 or MS series solid media for about 1 month, could develop shoots when further transferred onto MS series regeneration media. All five cultivars of B. napus, three of the four cultivars of B. campestris (Arlo, Sonja and Bunyip) and one of the three cultivars of B. oleracea (Sugar Loaf) exhibited shoot regeneration from protoplast cultures within 2–3 months after protoplast isolation. The frequency of shoot regeneration ranged among 1–22.5%. A high degree of reproducibility was observed in cultivars Westar, Eureka, Global, Arlo, Bunyip and Sugar Loaf. In contrast, among the six cultivars that formed callus in protoplast culture derived from light-grown cotyledons, only three cultivars from B. napus (Westar, Eureka, Global) exhibited shoot regeneration 5.5 months after protoplast isolation. Regenerated shoots from cultivars Westar, Eureka and Bunyip and Sugar Loaf, which derived from protoplasts of dark/dim light germinated seedling and were induced to root on rooting media, survived in soil and grew to produce silique and set seeds.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA benzylaminopurine - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - KT kinetin - GA₃ gibberellic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - PAR photosynthetically active radiation     

Callus induction and high-frequency plant regeneration from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of Arctium lappa L.

Summary This study describes a protocol for plant regeneration from cultured seedling explants of Arctium lappa. Hypocotyls and cotyledons of A. lappa were induced to form callus by culturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0mg l^−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5–2.0 mg l^−1 benzyladenine (BA). Formation of adventitious buds could be induced from calluses or explants directly by culturing on MS medium containing 1.0–2.0 mg l^−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5–2.0 mg l^−1 BA. These regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium with 1.0 mg l^−1 indole-3-butyric acid or indole-3-acetic acid in combination with 1.0 mgl^−1 NAA. The regenerated plants acclimatized in soil were normal morphologically and in growth characters. They flowered and set seeds in the following year after acclimatization.     

Plant regeneration from cotyledon protoplasts of Brassica carinata

Protoplasts isolated from cotyledons of Brassica carinata, underwent sustained division when cultured at 5.0 × 10⁴ ml^-1 in modified 8p medium (KM8P) with 1.0% (w/v) Seaplaque agarose. Cell colonies produced callus when agarose droplets, in which the protoplasts were embedded, were transferred to K8 medium with 0.6% (w/v) Sigma Type I or Type VII agarose at day 16, giving a plating efficiency of 1.6%. Seventy percent of the protoplast derived-tissues produced shoot buds after subculture to MS medium containing 3.0% (w/v) sucrose, 1.125 mgl^-1 BAP, 0.035 mgl^-1 GA and 0.6% (w/v) Type I agarose, resulting in shoot formation from 1.1% of the protoplasts originally plated. Protoplast-derived colonies transferred to hormone-free MS medium with 1.0% (w/v) sucrose and 0.6% (w/v) Type I agarose produced roots. The latter gave rise to shoots after excision from the parent callus and culture on MS medium with 3.0% sucrose, 0.225 mgl^-1 BAP, and 0.6% (w/v) Type I agarose. Shoots regenerated directly from protoplast-derived calli, or indirectly from roots, developed prolific root systems when placed on hormone-free MS medium with 1.0% (w/v) sucrose and 0.6% (w/v) Type I agarose.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - CH casein hydrolysate - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - GA gibberellic acid - K kinetin - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - MES 2(N-morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid, 2,iP-6(,-dimethylallyamino) purine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - Z zeatin - ZR zeatin riboside     

Plant regeneration from seedling explants and cotyledon protoplasts ofGlycine argyrea tind

Summary Plants have been regenerated from nodular, green callus derived from cotyledon, petiole and leaf lamina explants ofG. argyrea, a perennial relative of the soybean (G. max). The degree of response obtained was governed primarily by the genotype used, accession G1626 proving the most responsive. Shoots were also recovered from about 6.0% of cotyledon protoplasts of this genotype. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to genetic manipulations using this species.     

Effect of bialaphos and phosphinothricin on plant regeneration from long- and short-term callus cultures of Gladiolus

Summary Callus was initiated from in vitro-grown plants of Gladiolus cultivars ‘Jenny Lee’ and ‘Florida Flame.’ The age of callus used for regeneration of plants was either 9 mo. old or 8 yr old from ‘Jenny Lee,’ and 4 mo. old from ‘Florida Flame.’ Regeneration medium consisted of Murashige and Skoog’s basal salts medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l (9.3 μM) kinetin. This medium was supplemented with various concentrations of either bialaphos (Meiji Seika, Tokyo, Japan) or phosphinothricin (Hoechst-Roussell, Frankfurt, Germany). Bialaphos was more effective than phosphinothricin at stimulating plant regeneration. Plants regenerated from 8-yr-old callus of ‘Jenny Lee’ only when the regeneration medium was supplemented with 0.10 mg/l bialaphos. A bialaphos concentration of 0.01 mg/l stimulated regeneration from 9-mo.-old callus of cultivar ‘Jenny Lee’ and 4-mo.-old callus of ‘Florida Flame.’     

Organogenesis and plant formation from cotyledon explant cultures of wild turnip rape (Brassica tournefortii L.)

Cotyledon explants of Brassica tournefortii L. were excised from germinated seedlings and cultured on Murashige & Skoog's [6] basal medium supplemented with various combinations of cytokinins and auxins, Both cytokinin and auxin were required for induction of shoot organogenesis. Of the three cytokinins tested (in combination with a low concentration of IAA), kinetin was found to be the best for shoot regeneration. On this medium, cotyledonary explants invariably underwent callusing followed by multiple shoot formation. NAA in combination with any of the three cytokinins yielded a reduced number of shoots or none, but favoured good callus growth. Callus so produced also regenerated shoots when subcultured on media containing high concentration of KIN or ZEA and low concentration of IAA. Shoots were rooted during prolonged incubation on the same medium or on MS medium free of growth regulators. Mature plants were grown in the greenhouse.     

Plant regeneration from explant and protoplast derived calluses of Medicago littoralis

Plant regeneration from explant and protoplast derived callus has been achieved in Medicago littoralis cv. Harbinger 1886, an annual legume resistant to the fungus Pseudopeziza medicaginis. Callus was induced from different tissue explants and the fastest growth rate was observed for hypocotyls in B5 medium with 2 mg l^–1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5 mg l^–1 N⁶-benzyladenine. Protoplasts were isolated from cotyledons and leaves of sterile plants and from callus; the first two kinds of protoplasts showed a plating efficiency of 5.6% and 5%, respectively, when embedded in agarose. Plant regeneration occurred on media containing % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9qq-f0-yqaqVeLsFr0-vr% 0-vr0db8meaabaqaciGacaGaaeqabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacaqGobWaaW% baaSqabeaacaqG2aaaaOGaaeOVfiaabs5adaahaaWcbeqaaiaaikda% aaGccaqG+waaaa!3F97!\[{\text{N}}^{\text{6}} {\text{\Delta }}^2 {\text{}}\]isopentenyl-adenine combined with indole-3-acetic acid or 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-acetic acid, and on media with N⁶-benzyladenine plus -naphtaleneacetic acid; a cytokinin/auxin ratio higher than 1 induced embryos while a ratio around 1 stimulated shoot formation. Embryo development and rooting of shoots were performed in RL medium without growth regulators.Abbreviations NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - BA N⁶-benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2iP % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9qq-f0-yqaqVeLsFr0-vr% 0-vr0db8meaabaqaciGacaGaaeqabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacaqGobWaaW% baaSqabeaacaqG2aaaaOGaaeOVfiaabs5adaahaaWcbeqaaiaaikda% aaGccaqG+waaaa!3F97!\[{\text{N}}^{\text{6}} {\text{\Delta }}^2 {\text{}}\]isopentenyl-adenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - BOA 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-acetic acid - KIN kinetin - MS Murashige & Skoog (1962) - GRFMS growth regulator free MS medium - B5 Gamborg et al. (1968) - RL Phillips & Collins (1979) - KM8 KM8P Kao & Michayluk (1975) - CPW Frearson et al. (1973) - f. wt fresh weight - FDA fluorescoin diacetate     

Induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">eruca sativa</Emphasis> mill

Summary A protocol was developed for high frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of Eruca sativa. Explants grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-D formed embryogenic callus after 4 wk of culture. Secondary somatic embryos were also produced from primary somatic embryos on MS medium containing 0.56 μM 2,4-D. Somatic embryos developed into mature embryos on MS medium in the presence of 45 gl⁻¹ polyethylene glycol. After desiccation, somatic embryos developed into plantlets by culturing the mature somatic embryos on 1/2 x MS medium containing 0.24 μM indole-3-butyric acid.     

柚木无性系愈伤组织诱导及植株再生

以柚木优良无性系71-14组培苗节间茎段为材料,MS 为基本培养基,采用正交设计对6-BA、IBA、TDZ、NAA 等4个生长调节剂各4水平进行愈伤组织诱导,并以最佳组合使用不同浓度的 TDZ 进行柚木愈伤组织再生.结果表明：TDZ 对形成具再生能力的致密型愈伤组织影响最大,低浓度水平的 TDZ 和6-BA 更易形成致密型愈伤组织;以愈伤组织大小、诱导率和致密型所占比例采用隶属函数法评定得出最优的愈伤组织诱导培养基为 MS＋0．9 mg·L-16-BA＋0．04 mg·L-1 IBA＋0．02 mg·L-1 TDZ＋0．8 mg·L-1 NAA,愈伤组织诱导率达80．78％、平均直径1．65 cm,获致密型愈伤组织83．0％;得出优化的再生培养基为 MS＋0．132 mg·L-1 TDZ,分化率为34．22％;初步建立了以茎段为外植体的柚木优良无性系71-14的再生体系,为柚木转基因技术的研究提供技术支撑.     

Plant regeneration from callus cultures of several soybean genotypes via embryogenesis and organogenesis

Using callus derived from immature embryos, regeneration of viable plants was obtained in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Depending on the composition of the medium, regeneration occurred via embryogenesis or via organogenesis. Embryogenesis resulted when embryos were plated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 43 M -naphthaleneacetic acid. In work with the cultivar Williams 82, the addition of 5.0 M thiamine HCl increased embryogenesis from 33% to 58% of the embryos plated. Addition of 30 M nicotinic acid to the MS medium enhanced embryogenesis further to 76%. Organogenesis was obtained when medium containing 13.3 M 6-benzylaminopurine, 0.2 M and -naphthaleneacetic acid and four times the normal concentration of MS minor salts was used. Histological studies of these cultures confirmed the organogenic and embryogenic nature of the cultures, by demonstrating the formation of shoot buds and somatic embryos, respectively. Similar responses were obtained in all 54 genotypes tested in this manner. The cultures retained the ability to regenerate complete plants for at least 12 months and 12–15 subcultures. Seeds have been obtained from several regenerated plants and when grown in the field these produced normal-appearing fertile plants.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetio acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - MS Murashige and Shoog (1962) medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - picloram 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid     

In vitro plant regeneration from cotyledon explants of Swainsona salsula Taubert

An effective protocol has been developed for plant regeneration from cotyledon explants of Swainsona salsula Taubert (Saline swainsona), a medicinal and agronomic shrub. Adventitious shoots were obtained from 83.2% of cotyledon explants from 3-day seedlings cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg l⁻¹ thidiazuron (TDZ), with an average of 9.3 shoots per explant. Individual elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with 59.3% success. Regenerated plants with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil, without detectable variants. Histological observation revealed that shoots developed from cotyledon explants via organogenesis, with little callus. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Induction of callus and plant regeneration in Vicoa indica

Callus cultures were initiated from the stem and leaf explants of aseptically grown Vicoa indica. A simple method is described for plant regeneration from callus and the rapid multiplication of the plants thus obtained. Callus initiation was optimum in Gamborg B5 (B5) basal medium containing either 2.0 mg l^-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 0.2 mg l^-1 kinetin (Kn) or 2.0 mg l^-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) with 0.2 mg l^-1 NAA. The calli initiated on B5 medium were able to proliferate on both Murashige and Skoog (MS) and B5 basal medium. Shoot primordia were obtained from greenish callus on passage to B5 basal medium containing 3.0 mg l^-1 BAP and 1.0 mg l^-1 Kn. On further subculture onto B5 medium containing 0.2 mg l^-1 Kn the shoot primordia developed into plantlets.     

Genotypic response of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) to in vitro regeneration from cotyledon explants

Summary A plant regeneration system applicable to 17 cowpea genotypes was developed. Cotyledons were initiated on 1/3 MS medium containing 15 to 35 mg N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) per 1 (66.6 to 155.3 μM) for 5 to 15 d. For shoot regeneration, the explants were transferred to a medium containing 1 mg BA per 1 (4.4 μM). Within 1 wk, shoot formation was visible at the proximal end of the cotyledons. Regeneration percentages (1% to 11%) and the numbers of shoots (4 to 12 per explant) were significantly influenced by genotype. Culture duration and BA concentration in the initiation stage significantly affected regeneration capacity. Explants initiated on media containing 15 mg BA per 1 for 5 d resulted in the highest percentage of explants capable of regeneration. Conversely, the highest number of shoots was obtained from explants initiated on media supplemented with 35 mg BA per 1. Whole plants were obtained on a plant growth regulator-free medium. To our knowledge, this is the first report of plant regeneration from U.S. commercial cowpea cultivars and breeding lines. This system is adaptable to diverse cowpea genotypes and will facilitate cowpea genetic transformation. Published with the approval of the Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from embryonic tissues ofCamellia japonica L.

Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration were achieved from immature and mature zygoticCamellia japonica embryos cultured on Murashige & Skoog's mineral medium without growth regulators or with various combinations of IBA and BAR The dependence of embryogenesis rates on growth regulator levels was not clear, though high concentrations such as 4 mg 1^-1BAP plus 2 mg 1^-1IBA were definitely inhibitory. BAP at 1 or 2 mg 1^-1 did appear to determine the formation of bud-like embryos. By far the most responsive initial explants were immature embryonic axes collected in September, 94% of which produced somatic embryos as against only 20% for embryonic axes from mature seeds collected in October. Cotyledon explants were also embryogenic. Somatic embryos differentiating directly on the hypocotyl of the embryonic axes or the surface of cotyledons passed through typical stages of embryogenesis. Indirect somatic embryogenesis via callus was also evident. Embryogenic potential was maintained by secondary embryogenesis through the successive generations of embryos.     

Efficient plant regeneration in vitro in buckwheat

An in vitro highly efficient plant regeneration system was established from hypocotyl segments in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.). Calli were induced on Murashige–Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg l^–1 to 2.0 mg l^–1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1.5 mg l^–1 6-benzylaminopurine. Shoot buds were formed on subcultured pieces of callus. A high frequency (over 80%) of shoot differentiation was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l^–1 6-benzylaminopurine and 1.0 mg l^–1 6-furfurylaminopurine. The regenerated shoots rooted readily on MS medium plus 0.2 mg l^–1naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.2 mg l^–1 indole butyric acid. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized and successfully transferred to pots. Chromosome examination showed that the regenerated plants had normal chromosome number (2n=16).     

High frequency plant regeneration from stem explants of Brassica alboglabra Bailey in vitro

Culture conditions for shoot regeneration and proliferation, and rooting of Brassica alboglabra Bailey were optimized by a judicious selection of explants and manipulation of hormonal combinations in the culture medium. Both half and whole stem explants were more regenerative than cotyledons and hypocotyls. The highest shoot regeneration frequency (100%) accompanied by high number of shoots was obtained using half stem explants grown on Murashige & Skoog [14] medium supplemented with 2 mgl^-1 BA in combination with 1 mgl^-1 NAA, or 4 mgl^-1 2iP with 0.5 mgl^-1 NAA. For shoot proliferation, 4 mgl^-1 kinetin was most effective. The presence of auxin reduced shoot proliferation significantly. Maximum rooting (100%) of shoot cuttings was obtained either in the absence or in the presence of 0.5 mgl^-1 NAA, or IBA or IAA ranging from 0.1 to 8 mgl^-1.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in cotyledonary explant cultures of Chinese cabbage

Cotyledonary explants of Chinese cabbage were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Up to 20% of the cotyledonary explants produced somatic embryos with or without intervening callus production. Explants became more competent as the age of the source seedlings increased up to 8 days, but cotyledonary explants from 10-day-old seedlings were not responsive. Upon transfer to MS basal medium most of the somatic embryos developed into plantlets. Plantlets were transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a phytotron. Among three cultivars used, only cotyledonary explants of Top Salad were capable of producing somatic embryos.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog (1962)