Somatic embryogenesis from floral tissue of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

The aim of this study was to examine the embryogenic potential of floral material of the cassava cultivar MCOL 1505. Macerated immature inflorescences were found to be highly embryogenic, with almost 78% of the explants producing somatic embryos. Somatic embryos were also produced from whole male florets and half florets although at much lower rates. No regeneration was obtained from anther, microspore or floret wall tissue. Somatic embryos derived from immature inflorescences were regenerated via organogenesis and the plants derived from this process were assessed in terms of phenotype and ploidy level. If haploid plants could be produced by this method, this would have significant implications in assisting traditional cassava breeding, as this would allow homozygosity to be reached more rapidly. In a crop such as cassava, which is highly heterozygous in nature, the use of haploids in a breeding programme could considerably shorten the time taken to produce new desirable cultivars. This is the first report on plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from floral tissue of cassava. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.