SOME FACTORS AFFECTING SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS EFFICIENCY IN SOYBEAN (GLYCINE-MAX (L) MERR)

Selected factors affecting somatic embryogenesis efficiency have been studied, namely genotype, explant type and its orientation in the medi um, different basal media, different auxins for somatic embryo inducti on, and two ways of donor plant cultivation. The key role is played by genotype and auxin used, the minimum effect was observed due to basal media. In the series of subsequent experiments we have found the best combination of individual factors as follows: cv, Altona, 10 muM 2,4- D, L2 basal medium, central part of immature cotyledon as initial expl ant oriented by adaxial side down on the agar medium, and field grown donor plants. This combination exhibited 100 % embryogenic explants wi th 5.43 +/- 0.65 somatic embryos per explant, i. e. somatic embryogene sis efficiency 5.43.