Induction of somatic embryogenesis in carrot by heavy metal ions

Abstract

A new method for the induction of somatic embryos has been demonstrated. Somatic embryos were formed without a visible interventing callus stage when apical tips from 1-week-old seedlings of carrot (Daucus carota cv. US-Harumakigosun) were cultured for 1–3 weeks on Murashige and Skoog's medium without growth regulators but containing heavy metal chlorides, such as CoCl 2 , NiCl 2 , ZnCl 2 , and CdCl 2 , and then transferred to Murashige and Skoog's medium. These results suggest that the stresses caused by these chemicals trigger the induction of somatic embryogenesis in carrot. Key words: Daucus carota, somatic embryo, stress, tissue culture.