In vitro somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Acacia arabica

In vitro somatic embryogenesis and subsequent plant regeneration was achieved in callus cultures derived from immature zygotic embryos of Acacia arabica on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salts and vitamins supplemented with 8.88 μMBA, 6.78 μM2,4-D and 30 g l−1 (w/v) sucrose. Somatic embryos proliferated rapidly by secondary somatic embryogenesis after transfer to MS medium supplemented with 6.66 μM BA, 6.78 μM 2,4-D. The maximum number of somatic embryos per callus was 72.6 after 8 weeks of culture on medium containing 6.66 μM BA and 6.78 μM 2,4-D. The isolated somatic embryos germinated on half-strength basal MS salts and vitamins supplemented with 0.04 μM BA, 0.94 μM ABA and 2% (w/v) sucrose. The embryo-derived plantlets were acclimatized in the greenhouse and subsequently showed normal growth.