Callus Formation and Embryogenesis with Leaf Explants of Aesculus hippocastanum L.

Summary Explants excised from primary leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum L. seedlings were grown in vitro on medium after Murashige and Skoog (1962) to which various growth hormones had been added. A combination of 2 mg · 1 −1 each of kinetin, α-naphthalene acetic acid, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid added to the medium resulted in different types of calli and in a high frequency of somatic embryos with friable yellow callus. The leaves of plantlets obtained with somatic embryos produced calli which also showed a capacity for embryo formation.