Evaluation of a Somatic Embryogenesis Regenetation System for Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Azadirachta indica, also known as neem, is a woody tree species belonging to the Meliaceae family, of great importance in various scientific disciplines, such as forestry, medicinal and pharmacist. It was established a method for in vitro propagation of this plant, evaluating explants as leaf sections of vitro-plants, cotyledons and stem cuttings, using semi-solid medium with various combinations of cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and auxins 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and indol-3-acetic acid (IAA). Regenerative callus formation was observed, from which primary and secondary somatic embryogenesis was generated by growth regulators BAP (1.0 mg.L-1) and 2,4-D (0.2 mg.L-1), whereas non-regenerative callus formation was promoted by concentrations higher than 0,3 mg.L-1 of 2,4-D. Between the used explants, the highest frequency of plant regeneration (similar to 67%) presented from cotyledon sections.