DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EMBRYOGENIC SUSPENSION-CULTURES OF PECAN

A method for the establishment and proliferation of developmentally st able, embryogenic suspension cultures in pecan is described, and the g rowth and development of cultures characterized. Suspension cultures w ere generated from somatic embryos derived from zygotic embryo cotyled on explants induced on a solidified medium with naphthaleneacetic acid . Cultures were repetitively embryogenic and proliferated in growth-re gulator-free medium. The suspensions consisted of a mixture of globula r stage embryo-aggregates, freely suspended globular embryos and pre-g lobular stage embryo masses. Culture growth and proembryo production w ere evaluated with respect to several liquid media and pH conditions. Significant differences in growth and productivity were observed betwe en cultures. Pre-globular stage embryo masses collected on filter pape r and overlaid on solidified medium continued ontological development and converted into plants. Thus a method has been developed for pecan suspension culture, which presents a major improvement in embryogenic tissue culture within the Juglandaceae.