Somatic Embryogenesis in Four Tree Legumes

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved in four leguminous tree species, that is, Acacia catechu , Acacia arabica , Hardwickia binata, and Dalbergia sissoo using immature zygotic embryos as explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.25–1.0 mg/l Kn (kinetin) and 2.0–3.0 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) or NAA (1-napthaleneacetic acid) and 3% sucrose. MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 1.0–1.5 mg/l Kn was noted to be most effective in inducing friable embryogenic callus (FEC); the number of somatic embryos per culture varied in MS medium supplemented with 1.0–2.0 mg/l 2,4-D or NAA and 0.25–1.5 mg/l kinetin. The maximum number of somatic embryos was obtained in MS medium containing 1.5–2.0 mg/l 2,4-D or NAA and 1.0–1.5 mg/l kinetin; proliferation of embryogenic calli was enhanced in cultures having 1.0–2.0 mg/l 2,4-D, 1.0–1.5 mg/l kinetin, and 400–600 mg/l L-Proline. The somatic embryos in various shapes and sizes after the first subculture on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IAA and 0.25 mg/l BA; developed shoots and rooted in strength MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IBA or IAA. The somatic embryo-derived plantlets were transferred to the field after being hardened in the climate-controlled hardening chamber.