SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT-REGENERATION IN QUERCUS-ACUTISSIMA

Immature embryos of Quercus acutissima were collected weekly beginning 5 weeks post fertilization and cultured on modified MS(Murashige and Skoog) medium containing 1,000 mg/l glutamine and 5 mM proline with di fferent combinations of [BA(0.5 10.0 mg/l) and BA(0 or 1.0 mg/1) in li ght. The highest percentage of embryogenic cultures occurred on the me dium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA or 1.0 mg/l BA and 0.5 mg/l IBA. Four wee ks after initiation, the embryogenic cultures were transferred to MS m edium without plant growth regulators and cultured for 4 weeks. The so matic embryos were then transferred to germination medium. The best ge rmination results were achieved from WPM(Woody Plant Medium) containin g 0.1 mg/l BA. Plantlets from somatic embryos were incubated on WPM su pplemented with 0.2 mg/l BA for 4 weeks and plantlets with well develo ped shoots and roots were transplanted to perlite and peat moss(1:1, v /v) mixtures and placed in a culture room. After being hardened off fo r 8 weeks, they were transferred outdoors where they grew.