Effects of Growth Regulators and Explants on Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Liquid Culture of Rehmannia glutinosa

The effects of plant regulators on direct somatic embryogenesis in liquid culture of Rehmannia glutinosa were investigated and the proper explant for direct somatic embryo formation was studied. Direct somatic embryos were induced from leaf segments culture in the MS liquid medium containing 0.5 mg/l of both IAA and NAA, while IBA of 1.0 mg/l was required for the same effect. Many somatic embryos were directly formed at the concentration of 2.0 mg/l cytokinin such as BA, kinetin and zeatin, but somatic embryogenesis was relatively poor at above or below this level. Relatively more somatic embryos were induced in the combination of 1.0mg/l IAA and 2.0mg/l zeatin. Formation of somatic embryos begun after 6 weeks on stem segments, while 7 weeks both on petiole and leaf. However, overall production of somatic embryos after 8 weeks was higher in leaf segment than that of stem segment.