High frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in cell suspension cultures of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.).

Hypocotyl segments and zygotic embryos of coriander formed embryogenic calli at frequencies of up to 75% when cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mgl(-1) 2,4-D. Calli were transferred to MS liquid medium with 1 mgl(-1) 2,4-D to initiate cell suspension cultures. Embryogenic cells became finely dispersible in the medium as the subculture proceeded. Cultures were transferred to a nitrogen compound enriched liquid MS medium containing 2% sucrose and 0.1 mgl(-1) 2,4-D, and cultured two weeks before plating on MS basal medium. Approximately 75% of cell aggregates (1 to two mm in diameter) underwent development into globular to cotyledonary somatic embryos after two weeks of plating. Most of the embryos were subsequently regenerated into plantlets. Regenerants were successfully transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a phytotron.