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