Direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from ray florets of chrysanthemum

Direct somatic embryogenesis from ray floret explants of five chrysanthemum cultivars has been obtained within 12-15 d on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyladenine (BA). Scanning electron microscopic observation also confirmed the direct origin of somatic embryos from explants. Somatic embryos developed asynchronously on the adaxial surface of explants. Among the five cultivars tested, Birbal Sahani was best responding (40% explants responded on 4 mg dm(-3) 2,4-D and 2 mg dm(-3) BA supplemented medium). Precocious germination of somatic embryos was noticed on the same medium. The best sucrose concentration in the medium was found to be 60 g dm(-3) where 70% explants responded while 55% embryogenic response was obtained on medium supplemented with 400 mg dm(-3) inositol. Plants developed from somatic embryos were transferred to soil and produced true-to-type flowers.