Micropropagation of mother plants of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for somatic embryogenesis

Summary A reliable and standard method was established for micropropagation of the A70-34 selected genotype of lecerne (Medicago sativa L., genotype A70-34), aimed at reducing contamination problems, seasonal and phenological influences on regeneration and phytosanitary problems of the mother plants, while maintaining the regenerative potential for somatic embryogenesis of the plant tissues. Mother plants were routinely maintained for several subcultures and somatic embryogenesis was regularly obtained from the subcultured explants. Proliferation, rooting and embryogenetic ability of plants cultured for 30 days was greater than those cultured for 20 days. The regenerative potential of tissues from different organs and of triturated and intact whole plants was also tested. Petioles were confirmed as the best source for embryogenesis as far as efficiency and repeatability were concerned, even though regeneration from other explant types was also achieved. Production of somatic embryos through mechanical trituration of the in vitro cultured plants was obtained; the regeneration ability of the triturated plants was greater than that observed in the intact plants.