SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN LEAVES AND LEAF-DERIVED PROTOPLASTS OF ACTINIDIA-DELICIOSA VAR DELICIOSA CV HAYWARD (KIWIFRUIT)

The obtention of embryogenic competence in Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayward is reported. Axillary buds from shoots submitted to cold (4-degrees-C) and starvation for 1.5 months, developed leaves with embryogenic competence. These leaves, cultured in darkness for 1.5 months on a medium containing zeatin as a sole growth regulator, originated compact structures from which embryos developed. The plating orientation and sectioning of leaves strongly affected the expression of the embryogenic potential. A selected fraction of the protoplasts isolated from these leaves was able to develop in an embryogenic way. The germination of the embryos is still only occasional.