Somatic Embryogenesis in Agave spp.

Abstract

The genus Agave is a monocotyledonous group of species that belong to the Asparagaceae family. Because of its CAM metabolism and other botanical features, the genus Agave is gaining importance throughout the world to address the challenges that climate change is imposing with regard to food, medicine, and bioenergy. On the other hand, it is important to point that in order to develop protocols and methods for somatic embryogenesis in species of this genus, the knowledge of its counterpart, the natural zygotic embryogenesis is crucial. Methodologies for the production of somatic embryos in this genus have been reported for A. victoria-reginae, A. sisalana, A. salmiana, A. tequilana, A. angustifolia, A. vera-cruz, A. fourcroydes, and A. sisalana; and the uni- and multicellular origin of the somatic embryos is a key characteristic that should be taken into account for special purposes and uses. The importance of culture medium, plant growth regulators, genotype, and special conditions for culture incubation will be discussed.