Initiation and morphological development of somatic embryoids from barley cell cultures

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in callus previously initiated from immature embryos of barley. These cultures ranged in age from 6 weeks to 30 months. Embryoids were readily initiated from homogenized suspension-grown aggregates when plated on modified B5 media with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Low concentrations (0.1 and 0.05 mg∙L−1) of abscisic acid promoted further maturation of embryoids, while gibberellic acid (1 mg∙L−1) and kinetin (0.1 mg∙L−1) were used in the media to encourage embryoid germination. The development of somatic embryoids from initiation through maturation and germination is described.