SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM L.)

In this study an efficient protocol for somatic embryo production from a local cultivar of garlic, 'Kastamonu', was established. Different explants and concentrations or combinations of plant growth regulators were tested for embryogenic callus formation. The responses of the explants to medium composition were different in the amount of callus or number of embryos per explant. A high frequency of somatic embryogenesis was only observed in explants excised from roots of in vitro sprouted garlic cloves. The best callus formation was obtained with MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 IAA, 1 mg L-1 2.4-D, and 2 mg L-1 kinetin. After callus formation, calli were placed on hormone-free MS medium for somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis was obtained from 71.4% of calli with 17.6 embryos per explants . Embryo germination was 87%.