CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPETENCE DURING INDUCTION OF SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN ALFALFA TISSUE-CULTURE

Systematic manipulations of the culture protocol leading to somatic em bryogenesis in alfalfa petiole-derived callus were performed to study the competence phase during somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa. These de monstrated a requirement for the acquisition of competence prior to th e induction of the embryogenesis pathway. Induction was triggered by a number of synthetic auxins including 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ( 2,4-D). Competence could be acquired in the presence of these auxins a s well as phenylacetic acid (PAA), an auxin that did not induce embryo genesis. Different degrees of competence were apparently acquired by e xposure to 2,4-D and PAA. Some degree of competence was acquired in th e absence of auxin treatment. The current understanding of the concept of competence is discussed.