Cm. Baker et al., HIGH-FREQUENCY SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN PEANUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA L) USING MATURE, DRY SEED, Plant cell reports, 15(1-2), 1995, pp. 38-42
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) somatic embryos were produced from the em
bryo axes of mature, dry seeds of cultivar GK-7. Percent embryogenic e
xplants ranged from 88-100% using 10-40 mg/l of 2,4-D in the induction
medium. Neither 2,4-D concentration nor photoperiod during the induct
ion period had a large effect on percent embryogenesis, mean number of
embryos per explant, or embryo morphology. However, embryos obtained
from cultures grown in the dark were easier to remove from the explant
than those under a 16-h photoperiod. Somatic embryos developed on the
epicotyl portion of the embryo axis, primarily on the young, expandin
g leaves. A survey of 14 genotypes indicated that genotype had a large
influence on embryogenic capacity, with all genotypes being embryogen
ic to some extent. The ability to recover somatic embryos from axes of
harvested, stored seeds represents significant advantages for the est
ablishment of peanut embryogenic cultures, including the use of simple
sterilization procedures and a constant source of explant tissue.