Polyamines and arginine affect somatic embryogenesis of Daucus carota

Abstract

Cell suspension cells of Daucus carota were treated with putrescine (0.03 μM) in the presence of 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 40 mg/l arginine. When the cultures were transferred to a medium lacking 2,4-D and putrescine, globular embryos were produced which did not develop further. Globular embryos were subsequently transferred to a medium lacking arginine, and rapid synchronous development of the embryos occurred. This approach offers the possibility of controlling the process of somatic embryogenesis for developmental and biochemical studies, as well as the opportunity for large scale synchronous production for propagation purposes. © 1984 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd.