Effects of Explants and Growth Regulators on Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Liquid Culture of Scrophularia buergeriana

The factors affecting direct somatic embryogenesis from different parts of explant in liquid culture of Scrophularia buergeriana were investigated. Direct somatic embryogenesis was dependent on the explant tissues and stem was the most efficient explant. Rapid shoot development occurred on stem after 3-week culture but roots were not developed yet. Plantlets were not formed through somatic embryogenesis after 3-week culture of petiole. Though direct somatic embryo was not observed from leaf segment culture for 3 weeks, normal plantlets were developed after 8-week culture. BA played the main role for somatic embryogenesis in liquid culture and adding of either IAA or NAA caused rather adverse effects. Culture of stem segments in MS liquid medium with BA at 0.5 mg/ l or 0.1 mg/ l was proved to be the most efficient method for producing plantlets through direct somatic embryos.