Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Heracleum candicans Wall

A protocol has been developed for achieving somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from petiole-derived callus of Heracleum candicans Wall. Callus was initiated on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l–1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg l–1 BAP and subcultured on a medium containing double strength MS macrosalts, 1 mg l–12,4-D and 0.25 mg l–1 Kn. Numerous globular embryos were formed on the surface of the callus upon transfer to auxin-rich MS medium that lacked cytokinins. The globular embryos differentiated into mature embryos only when 2,4-D was removed from the medium. Mature embryo formation was significantly influenced by the pH of the medium and the addition of AgNO3 and ABA. Eighty-five percent of the somatic embryos were converted into plantlets when transferred to a medium supplemented with 0.01 mg l–1 BAP and 0.01 mg l–1 IBA. The regenerated plants have been established in soil and appear to be identical to the parent plants in morphology and chromosome number.