Study on Somatic Embryogenesis from Sandalwood and Plantlet Regeneration

Objective To obtain the regenerated plantlet of Sandalwood(Santalum album L.)through somatic embryogenesis and establish a genetic transformation system for future experiments.Methods Using the shoot tips,leaves of top 3 nodes and the nearly mature embryos as explants,somatic embryogenesis was induced on Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium containing thidiazuron(TDZ) and other exogenous growth regulators,and somatic embryos were isolated and transferred to MS medium with GA3 to develope into whole plants.Results The explants from leaves was most suitable to form somatic embryos on MS medium containing 1.1 μmmol/L TDZ and the formation rate of somatic embryos was 91.2%.The somatic embryos were developed into rootless plant-lets by reculturing onto MS medium with 1.4 μmol/L GA3 and 4% sucrose,and the germination rate was 100 %.Conclusion 1.1μmol/L TDZ can induce the somatic embryogenesis from leaves and nearly mature embryos of sandalwood,and the somatic embryos can be develope into rootless plantlets on MS medium with 1.4 μmol/L GA3.Sandalwood(Santalum album L.);Somatic embryos;Thidiazuron(TDZ);