Somatic embryogenesis in Eucalyptus globulus

Somatic embryos were obtained from 1% of cotyledon pieces and hypocotyls of mature embryos of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. cultured on media containing a high concentration of picloram or IBA. 2,4-D and other synthetic auxins did not yield somatic embryos or embryogenic callus. Somatic embryos arose indirectly via callus, being visible after four months, and directly, where little callus or adventitious root initiation occurred. Somatic embryos, f ormed directly from explants, were visible within five weeks. Various struc tural abnormalities of somatic embryos were observed, especially after indu ction on media containing picloram. Only two out of fifteen somatic embryos showed hypocotyl and radical elongation, but plantlets did not develop fur ther.