This review will summarize molecular and genetic analyses aimed at identifying the mechanisms underlying the sequence of events during plant zygotic embryogenesis. These events are being studied in parallel with the histological and morphological analyses of somatic embryogenesis. The strength and limitations of somatic embryogenesis as a model system will be discussed briefly. The formation of...

Somatic embryogenesis is an asexual form of plant propagation in nature that mimics many of the events of sexual reproduction. Also, this process may be reproduced artificially by the manipulation of tissues and cells in vitro. Some of the most important factors for a successful plant regeneration are the culture medium and environmental incubation conditions. In vitro somatic embryogenesis is ...

Somatic embryogenesis is a developmental process where a plant somatic cell can dedifferentiate to a totipotent embryonic stem cell that has the ability to give rise to an embryo under appropriate conditions. This new embryo can further develop into a whole plant. In woody plants, somatic embryogenesis plays a critical role in clonal propagation and is a powerful tool for synthetic seed product...

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in hypocotyl explants of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) cultured on media supplemented with various concentrations of N-phenyl-N'-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea (thidiazuron). In less than 2 weeks, somatic embryos were observed in treatments containing levels of thidiazuron (TDZ) ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 micromolar. The use of N(6)-benzylaminopurine in combination...