SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT DEVELOPMENT FROM IMMATURE ZYGOTIC EMBRYOS OF SEEDLESS GRAPES (VITIS-VINIFERA L)

Somatic embryo formation occurred from immature zygotic embryos within ovules of stenospermocarpic seedless grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), when cultured for two months on liquid Emershad/Ramming medium. Somatic em bryos continued to proliferate after excision and transfer to Emershad /Ramming medium supplemented with 1 mu M benzylaminopurine and 0.65% T C agar. Plant development from somatic embryos was influenced by genot ype, medium, phase (liquid, agar), stage (torpedo, mature) and their i nteractions. Optimal plant development occurred on Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 1.5% sucrose + 1 mu M benzylaminopurine + 0.3% activ ated charcoal and 0.65% TC agar.