Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in different organs ofEuterpe edulis mart. (Palmae): Control and structural features

Somatic embryogenesis and further plant regeneration were observed using zygotic embryos, young inflorescences and young leaves ofEuterpe edulis (Palmae) as explants. Both for the cultures of zygotic embryos and inflorescences, activated charcoal in the medium was essential for the establishment of viable cultures. Embryogenesis was induced by using a gelled basal medium with MS or Euwens salts supplemented by high 2, 4-D levels (50–100 mg L−1). The embryogenic process was direct without a callus stage. For further development, cultures with globular or post-globular embryos were transferred to the basal medium with 2-iP (2.5 mg L−1) and NAA (0.1 mg L−1). To convert embryos to plantlets, cultures were transferred to a third medium in which sucrose and salts were reduced to the half-strenght of the basal medium, without growth regulators. In the case of liquid medium, with either 2, 4-D or NAA (10–20 mg L−1). The developmental stage of each explant was critical for the induction of embryogenesis. The histological study of embryogenic cultures revealed that in the case of zygotic embryos, somatic embryos arise directly from the surface of the cotyledonar node, or from subepidermal tissues. In the inflorescences, a pro-embryogenic tissue is formed at the floral primordium region; in the leaves, the first morphogenic event is cell proliferation in the vascular parenchyma.