Somatic Embryogenesis in Suspension Culture of Mature Seed of Cucumis melo L.

Abstract

The factors affecting somatic embryogenesis in suspension culture of melon seed and the process involved were described. The culture period in the initial culture medium supplemented wlth 1mg/l 2, 4-D, 1mg/l NAA, 0.1mg/l BA and 30g/l sucrose, influenced the structural characteristic of the somatic embryo. When the suspension was cultured for 7 days in the initial medium, the somatic embryos which developed normal morphogenesis predominated. A larger number of normal somatic embryos were obtained when the 7-day-old cultures were washed with MS medium containing 0.5% activated charcoal. Somatic embryogenesis began in the filamentous embryo stage and proceeded from globular to torpedo stage.