Initiation and morphological development of somatic embryoids from barley cell cultures

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in callus previously initiated from immature embryos of barley. These cultures ranged in age from 6 weeks to 30 months. Embryoids were readily initiated from homogenized suspension-grown aggregates when plated on modified B5 media with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Low concentrations (0.1 and 0.05 mg∙L−1) of abscisic acid promoted further maturation of embryoids, while gibberellic acid (1 mg∙L−1) and kinetin (0.1 mg∙L−1) were used in the media to encourage embryoid germination. The development of somatic embryoids from initiation through maturation and germination is described.