Induction of Proembryogenic Masses and Formation of Adventitious Buds from Mature Embryos of an Endangered Japanese Conifer, Picea koyamae

Picea koyamae is an endangered Japanese conifer and only one thousand individuals are identified. Tissue culture is one of the techniques useful to propagate endangered species effectively. We examined the effect of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) and benzylaminopurine (BAP) on organo-genesis from mature embryos of P. koyamae. Proembryogenic masses (PEMs) like cells were induced on Lepoivre (LP) medium containing 3 mu M 2, 4-D and caulogenic callus were induced on LP medium containing 1 mu M 2, 4-D and 3 mu M BAP. Furthermore, adventitious buds were developed from caulogenic callus under light condition.