In vitro regeneration of Camellia reticulata by somatic embryogenesis

Camellia reticulata L. plantlets were regenerated by direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos. Initial explants (cotyledon sections and embryonic axes) produced somatic embryos without intermediate callus tissue when grown on Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium with 30 gl^-1 sucrose and no growth regulators; the somatic embryos completed their development in 4-6 weeks in the same medium. Embryogénie competence was increased by 0.5 and 1 mg l^-1 IBA. Histological observation showed the embryos to originate from epidermal and subepidermal cells of the cotyledon and hypocotyl explants. Secondary somatic embryos developed directly from the cotyledons and hypocotyl region of primary somatic embryos by a process that was morphologically very similar to that occurring on zygotic explants. Direct repetitive embryogenesis was maintained by this system. Up to 40% germination occurred when mature somatic embryos were isolated and incubated in medium supplemented with 1 mgl^-1 GA₃ + 1 mgl^-1 IAA. Indirect somatic embryogenesis was induced in callus differentiated on cotyledon explants after three months’ culture in media containing IBA or NAA and/or BAP, embryogenic capacity being retained by callus subcultured on 0.5 mg l^-1 IBA + 1 mg l^-1 BAP.