Abstract
In vitro somatic embryogenesis of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii was achieved from immature embryo-derived callus and the morphological course of events during embryo development was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy technique (SEM). Embryogenic callus could be initiated from immature embryos and optimum induction of callus was observed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 10 μM 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and 1 μM benzyl‐aminopurine (BAP). Somatic embryo development was occurred on half-strength basal MS medium supplemented with 2 μM BAP, 0.25 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Somatic embryo maturation was accomplished using 1 μM zeatin, 0.25 μM indolebutyric acid (IBA). SEM observations indicated development of an extracellular material at an early stage of differentiation and a course of differentiation leading to development of somatic embryos.
