Somatic embryogenesis versus zygotic embryogenesis in Ensete superbum

In vitro regenerated corm with a shoot incubated on MS medium with modified combination of vitamins supplemented with 2 mg l−1 2,4-D, 1.5 mg l−1 BA and 1000 mg l−1 L-glutamine formed an embryogenic callus. On transfer to a hormone free medium the callus turned black and formed whitish spherical nodules on the peripheral region from which mature embryos grew out in about 40 days. Histological preparations at successive stages in development confirmed the origin of somatic embryos initiated from single cells of the callus. Detailed analysis of the ontogeny of the somatic embryogenesis and zygotic embryogenesis has been done in the present study. Comparison of the ontogenetic stages of the somatic embryogenesis to that of zygotic embryogenesis has shown that the early segmentation of the embryo, the organization of the embryonic apex, formation of cotyledon and epicotyl, the morphology and shape of the zygotic and somatic embryos of E. superbum at successive stages show remarkable similarities in spite of the different environments in which they have developed and differen-tiated.