SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS OF AGAVE VICTORIA-REGINAE MOORE

Plant regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis of leaf blade explants from in vitro propagated plants of Agave victoria-reginae Moo re, is described. Somatic embryogenesis was evident in a 6-week period on agar-solidified MS medium supplemented with L2 vitamins and 2,4-di chlorophenoxyacetic acid (1,4 mu M), and germination of somatic embryo s was achieved after 8 weeks on half-strength MS medium and 4 weeks on half-strength SH medium, both lacking growth regulators. Hyperhydrici ty of somatic embryos and plantlets was reduced by the use of vented c ulture vessel lids during the last 4 weeks on SH medium. Shoot prolife ration was obtained, and hyperhydricity was eliminated on a modified M S medium (with NH4NO3 reduced to 5 mM) supplemented with kinetin (4.6 mu M) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (1.6 mu M) and the use of vented cu lture vessel lids.