SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN MATURE ZYGOTIC EMBRYO CULTURE OF GLEHNIA-LITTORALIS

In vitro somatic embryogenesis of Glehnia littoralis Fr. schm. was obs erved when zygotic embryos were cultured on a medium containing 1-naph thaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.01-10 mu M), w ith 1 mu M being the optimum. Microscopic observations revealed globul ar, heart-shaped and torpedo-shaped embryo formations and plantlet reg eneration. These somatic embryos seemed to be produced directly from c ells of the zygotic embryos used as explants. Of seven types of media tested, Nitsch's medium showed the highest rate of somatic embryogenes is. Somatic embryos developed into normal plantlets and were able to b e potted.