Effect of growth regulators on maturation of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) somatic embryos

Interactions of growth regulators and polyethylene glycol on maturation of geranium somatic embryos were investigated. Somatic embryos were induced on medium with 20 mu M thidiazuron for 3 days. The growth regulators used wer e 1 mu M abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, napthaleneacetic acid and benzylamin opurine at 21 days from the start of induction. Benzylaminopurine and napth aleneacetic acid did not enhance abscisic acid effects on maturation freque ncy but only improved maturation frequency in the presence of polyethylene glycol. Abscisic acid significantly improved protein content in the presenc e of polyethylene glycol. Benzylaminopurine and napthalene acetic acid in c ombination with abscisic acid and jasmonic acid improved protein types in s omatic embryos only in the absence of polyethylene glycol. Osmoticum effect ed by polyethylene glycol seems the main component required for protein syn thesis. This study showed significant improvement of somatic embryo quality for artificial seed production.