PRODUCTION OF EMBRYOGENIC CALLUS FROM NONEMBRYONIC EXPLANTS OF NORWAY SPRUCE PICEA-ABIES (L) KARST

Callus has been induced on needle and bud explants from 2, 6 and 26 year old Picea abies (L.) Karst. trees. Seventy seven percent of the needle explants from the youngest material was productive compared to 0.2% for the old tree. New embryogenic sections appeared in the non-embryogenic callus derived from 2, 6 and 26 year old trees after prolonged culture and was promoted by the use of an established embryogenic callus line in a nurse culture system.