Abstract

The development of an efficient protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature flower cultures of Cnidium officinale Makino is reported. Embryogenic callus and somatic embryos induced from immature flower of C. officinale was cultured on medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP. The highest induction frequency of embryogenic callus (68%) and number of somatic embryos per explants (12.3) was obtained on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/l BAP. The addition of cytokinins (BAP and Kinetin) and GA₃ in MS medium improved the plantlet conversion and shoot growth from somatic embryo culture of C. officinale. The optimal concentration of 0.1 mg/l BAP and 3.0 mg/l GA₃ was most suitable for the highest conversion rate of plantlet (74 and 75%) and shoot growth (3.6 and 4.1 cm). The rooted plants were hardened and transferred to soil with an 80% survival rate. The continuous production of C. officinale regenerated plants via somatic embryogenesis could be used as a possible micropropagation system and plant transformation.

Key words: Cnidium officinale Makino embryogenic callus, micropropagation, plant regeneration, somatic embryogenesis.