Plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis from mature seeds of Magnolia obovata

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We attempted to develop a method for the regeneration of plantlets from mature seeds of medically important Magnolia obovata via the induction of somatic embryogenesis in vitro. We initially cultured halves of mature seeds on either Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium or B5 medium that contained 0, 1, 5 or 10 μM gibberellic acid (GA3) for 1 month and then transferred the half-seeds to half-strength MS basal medium or B5 basal medium for further culture in the absence of GA3. Proembryogenic masses (PEMs) were observed 1 month after the transfer of the halved mature seeds to the medium without GA3. The frequency of formation of PEMs was higher (28%) after initial culture in MS basal medium plus 1 μM GA3 than in other tested media (0 or 4%). Somatic embryos that had been developed from PEMs were cultured on half-strength MS basal medium or B5 basal medium for completion of maturation and then transferred to fresh aliquots of the same medium for initiation of germination. The frequency of germination, with the formation of normal primary leaves and roots, was above 80%. We transferred the somatic embryo-derived plantlets to soil for acclimatization and the plantlets continued to thrive.