Somatic Embryogenesis and in vitro Flowering in Saposhnikovia divaricata

Efficient somatic embryogenesis (SE) and in vitro flowering and fruiting were achieved in Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. Friable embryogenic callus developed from the root, internode, and leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) with 2.26 mu M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and subsequently developed into somatic embryos on MS medium containing 4-5% sucrose, 1.74 mu M naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 4.44 mu M 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), and 1.90 mu M abscisic acid (ABA). Then the mature embryos were separated and transferred onto MS with 3% sucrose and 0.6% agar for further development and conversion to plantlets. In vitro flowering and fruiting were obtained when the subcultures were carried out for over 15 months. Paclobutrazol (PP333) or ethephon (ETH) at low levels promoted flowering significantly. Also, abnormal rootless somatic embryos of S. divaricata could form flowers and fruits in vitro.