Abstract
Somatic embryogenesis has been recognized as the theoretically most effective method for micropropagation of transplants and the material of artificial seeds. The main advantages of somatic embryogenesis over axillary or adventitious shoot propagation are that the procedures of cutting plantlets into segments and transferring segments onto new media in the proliferation phase are not necessary. The main problems restricting the commercial application of somatic embryogenesis for plant micropropagation are poor productivity and quality of embryos produced in liquid culture. Induction of somatic embryogenesis in liquid culture using bioreactor systems offers opportunities for bioprocess automation and environmental control, and consequently is expected to reduce manual labor and costs. This review gives an overview of research on large-scale transplant production by somatic embryo culture and its control of environment, mainly for bioenvironmental and bioprocess engineers.
