Plant regeneration from somatic embryos of Taxus brevifolia

Taxus brevifolia is the source of paclitaxel (Taxol(R)), anticancer drug. A method regeneration of Taxus brevifolia from immature zygotic embryos via somatic embryogenesis is described. Embryogenic callus tissues were obtained by culturing immature zygotic embryos on Lloyd and McCown medium (MCM) supplemented with 160 mu M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) + 5 mu M benzylaminopurine (BA) + 5 mu M naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for 4 weeks. Putative embryoids were obtained following transfer of cultures to MCM medium supplemented with 4 mu M BA + 5 mu M kinetin + 1 mu M NAA for 6 to 8 weeks. Conversion of embryos was obtained on MCM medium supplemented with 40 mu M abscisic acid (ABA) + 1% activated charcoal. Development of bipolar structures with recognizable shoot and root apices was observed in somatic embryos. Five percent of somatic embryos were regenerated into plantlets on half-strength growth regulator-free MCM medium.