Plant Regeneration through Somatic Embryogenesis from Young Leaves of Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata

Abstract

Embryogenic calli of Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata, are yellowish-white, compact, and granular, which were induced from young leaves, and were maintained on half-strength macroand micro-elements of MS media containing 1 mg L^(-1) 6-Benzyl aminopurine (BA) plus 0.5 mg L^(-1) 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Embryogenic calli were cultured at 5℃ for 14 d on woody plant medium (WPM) with no plant growth regulators, and then somatic embryos appeared on the surface of these calli after they were transferred to 25℃ for another 6 wk. Of somatic embryos, 31.4% germinated that were cultured on WPM supplemented with 0.2 mg L^(-1) GA3 and 150 ml L^(-1) coconut milk in 2 mo and then transferred to medium without plant growth regulators for another 10 mo with 2-mo intervals of subculturing. Regenerating plantlets of 5 cm in height were acclimated and transplanted to a greenhouse with an 83% survival rate. Subsequently, these plantlets were transferred to the Botanic Garden of the National Museum of Natural Science for 3 yr, after which the diameter at breast height was 6 cm, and the height was 4 m.