Somatic embryogenesis from immature cotyledons of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.): ontogeny of somatic embryos

Abstract

Soybean somatic embryos obtained from immature zygotic embryos were histologically analyzed in order to determine possible ontogenetic routes followed by these embryos. The proembryo stage and globular, heart-shaped, torpedo and cotyledonary embryo stages were found, closely resembling the ontogeny of zygotic embryos. However, the absence of a characteristic suspensor as well as the delay in the establishment of inner organization were the main differences between these two embryogenic processes.