Embryogenic cultures of the leguminous tree Albizia julibrissin and recovery of plants

A somatic embryogenic system was developed and plants regenerated in mimosa (Albizia julibrissin Durazz). Development of somatic embryos in the specie s has not previously been reported. Immature seeds, embryo cotyledons and e mbryo axes (cotyledons removed) at defined developmental stages were placed on induction media with different concentrations of 2,4-D. Two distinct em bryogenic responses occurred: either proembryo masses or cotyledonary-stage embryos. Twenty five percent of all embryo axes cultured on basal medium p roduced cotyledonary somatic embryos. Six percent of in ovulo immature seed explants generated proembryo masses. These masses proliferated in liquid c ulture in the dark. Proembryos developed further when transferred to a grow th-regulator-free semisolid medium in the light. Somatic embryos derived fr om either proembryo suspensions or cotyledonary embryo cultures on semisoli d medium germinated to form plants that continued to grow vigorously follow ing transfer to soil.