Influence of high concentrations of cytokinins on the production of somatic embryos by germinating seeds of tomato, aubergine and pepper

Abstract

SummarySomatic embryos of tomato, aubergine and pepper were initiated from intact seedlings when seeds were cultured on medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or thidiazuron (TDZ). The percentage of explants producing somatic embryos was highest for aubergine on media containing low concentrations of BAP, i.e. 0–10 mg l–1, for tomato at 15–20 mg l–1 and for pepper at 40–80 mg l–1. Aubergine and tomato produced fewer somatic embryos per responsive seedling when cultured on medium containing TDZ, and pepper did not produce any somatic embryos on media containing 0–20 mg l–1 1 TDZ. Morphogenesis of the seedlings producing somatic embryos was similar for all the genotypes, i.e. the seedlings were dwarf, only the cotyledons expanded, development of the apical meristem and the root were suppressed and a ring-like crown of nodular tissue developed at the base of the hypocotyl from which somatic embryos were initiated. Co-cultivation of tomato and aubergine seeds with seeds of pepper in media containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg l–1 BAP inhibited somatic embryogenesis in tomato and aubergine instead of assisting somatic embryogenesis in pepper. This is discussed in relation to the recent findings for the induction of somatic embyrogenesis in peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) and the role of BAP and TDZ.