Somatic cell embryogenesis of Acanthopanax senticosus

Objective To study somatic cell embryogenesis of Acanthopanax senticosus induced by different concentration of 2,4D and type of explants,which provides theoretic evidence in protection of A.senticosus resources and genetic engineering.Methods Using 3-week seedlings and zygotic embryos(cotyledon, hypocotyls,and roots) of stratificated seeds as explants researches the effect of different hormones on somatic cell embryogenesis of A.senticosus. Results Explants of zygotic embryos of stratificated seeds cultured on MS and 1/2MS media containing 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D generated the highest frequency(57.1%) and the most number(3.3) of somatic cell embryos,which can develop into maturation in the initial medium.But it is more beneficial to generate new somatic cell embryos and to develop primary somatic cell embryos into maturation when transferred into 2,4-D of decreased concentration.And the deve-(lopment) process of somatic cell embryos of A.senticosus is similar to that of zygotic embryos.Conclusion(Somatic) embryogenesis of A.senticosus is realized by culturing explants of zygotic embryos and the inductive rate of somatic cell embryos is related to the concentration of 2,4-D and developmental stage of explants.