In vitro somatic embryogenesis from Mangifera indica L. callus

The nucellus and globular adventitious proembryos were removed from 2-month-old fruits of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars ‘Ono’ and ‘Chino’, and were cultured on sterile, solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium that had been modified as follows: half-strength major salts and chelated iron; 20% (v/v) coconut water (CW); 6% sucrose; 100 mg l^?1 ascorbic acid and 400 mg l^?1 glutamine. Embryogenic explants were sub-cultured after 4–6 weeks in liquid modified MS medium containing 2 mg l^?1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) instead of CW. Rapidly growing cultures were established and were sub-cultured monthly. Somatic embryogenesis was induced following sub-culture from MS medium with 2,4-D to MS without growth regulators and with or without activated charcoal (0.5%). Germination of somatic embryos appeared to be enhanced by 1 mg l^?1 benzyladenine (BA); however, most of the germinating embryos became embryogenic.