Embryogenic responses of Vitis spp.: Effects of genotype and polyvinylpyrrolidone

Somatic embryos were obtained from leaf discs excised from cv. Seyve Villar d 5276 (Vitis sp.) and from a Brazilian interspecific hybrid derived from M adalena (Vitis sp.) and Magnolia (V. rotundifolia). Experimental procedures were conducted according to HARST (1995) except that phenylalanine was rep laced by polyvinylpyrrolidone which improved the embryogenic response of cu ltivar SV-5276. Standard somatic embryogenesis was confirmed by histologica l and ultrastructural analysis which also revealed teratological embryonic development. Secondary embryos were observed and documented by scanning mic roscopy.