Embryonal-suspensormass (ESM) initiation from zygotic embryo sections was not affected by explant orientation whatever the type of external auxin used. Thus, polar auxin transport might not be directly involved in the control of somatic embryo formation. Application of 40 muM 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid ( TIBA) suppressed ESM initiation in hypocotyl sections. This effect of TIBA mimicked that of a supraoptimal dose of alpha-naphtaleneacetic acid suggesting a detrimental effect of fast internal auxin accumulation on ESM initiation.