Abstract
For the purpose of establishing an efficient somatic embryo induction from cell suspensions of Aralia cordata cv. Aichi-bozu, the effect of different factors and bioreactors on subcultured embryogenic cells and induction of somatic embryos were investigated. The highest rate of somatic embryogenesis was obtained from the suspension cells when cultured in MS liquid medium containing 0.5 mg·liter-1 2, 4-D and subcultured at 3 weeks intervals. The number of somatic embryos obtained was affected by the type of bioreactors. With air lift or rotating drum bioreactors, about 189 somatic embryos were induced per 100 ml of medium, whereas in bubble column bioreactor, about 124 somatic embryos were induced. A 100-ml Erlenmeyer flask, compared with bioreactors, was more efficient, producing 653 somatic embryos or 3.5 to 5.3 times more than did the bioreactors. However, 95% and 66% of the somatic embryos from the bioreactors and Erlenmeyer flasks, respectively, were normal. These results demonstrate the economic advantage of scaling up the air lift or rotating drum bioreactors to produce normal somatic embryos.
