SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT REGENERATION FROM IMMATURE COTYLEDONS OF PRUNUS MUME 'NANKO'

This study describes a successful method for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature cotyledons of Prunus mume 'Nanko'. It appeared that the developmental stage of cotyledons that were cultured in vitro was the most important factor for embryogenesis. The highest frequency of embryogenesis was obtained from immature cotyledons harvested about 80 days after flowering on WPM containing 3% sorbitol, 1 μM 2,4-D and 1 μM BA after 60 days of culture in the dark at 25°C. Embryos could be germinated and grown to shoots by culturing them to WPM containing 3% sorbitol, 5 μM BA and 0.7% agar under the light at 25°C. Secondary somatic embryogenesis was observed when the somatic embryos were cultured on MS containing 3% sucrose, 0.1 μM NAA and 5 μM BA, 0.7% agar in the dark at 25°C.