Studies on somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.)

Embryogenic cultures were initiated and established in chir pine using imma ture megagametophytes. Three different basal media with various combination s of growth regulators and other supplements were tested initially during t he 1996 studies for the extrusion of embryogenic mass, which was initiated and proliferated on DCR basal medium. Variation was observed in the extrusi on of embryogenic mass, mostly depending on the location, collection dates, media composition and developmental stage of megagametophytes. Three embry ogenic cell lines (R-1, R-3 and R-29) were selected and used in the initial studies for maturation and conversion of somatic embryos to plants.