Somatic Embryo Formation on Mature Abies alba × Abies cephalonica Zygotic Embryo Explants

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved from mature embryos excised from stored hybrid Abies alba × Abies cephalonica seeds. Embryogenic tissue formation occurred on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg dm-3 benzyladenine. The formation of embryogenic tissue was influenced by the time of storage of seeds. Initiation frequencies 27.2 - 29.0 % were obtained in embryos isolated from 6 month and 1 year stored seeds. Embryos excised from 4-year stored seeds showed no response. Embryogenic structures appeared on the surface of hypocotyl. They originated without previous callus formation. Embryogenic tissues were maintained in long-term cultures. After maturation treatment cotyledonary somatic embryos developed and germinated in small plantlets.