Secondary somatic embryogenesis in Abies numidica

Abstract

The induction of secondary somatic embryogenesis in Abies numidica De Lann. was achieved. Precotyledonary, cotyledonary, and desiccated cotyledonary embryos were used as explants. Cotyledonary embryos before desiccation were the most suitable. The most beneficial was induction medium Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) with 1 mg dm-3 thidiazuron and 1000 mg dm-3 myo-inositol. Initiation frequency was from 1 to 34 %. Maturation of somatic embryos was achieved on modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 40 g dm-3 maltose, 100 g dm-3 polyethylene glycol-4000 and 10 mg dm-3 abscisic acid. Mature somatic embryos after three weeks of desiccation germinated on SH medium with 10 g dm-3 charcoal and 10 g dm-3 sucrose.