Somatic embryogenesis in cultured immature kernels of Pistachio, Pistacia vera L.

Embryogenic tissue was produced from kernels of immature fruits of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cultured in liquid Murashige and Skoog media, supplemented with 200 mgl(-1) casein hydrolysate, 114 μM 1-ascorbic acid, and benzylaminopurine. Compact embryogenic masses differentiated directly from the fruit explants after culture for 2 weeks in liquid medium with 8.9 μM benzylaminopurine. After transfer of the embryogenic masses into the same medium, but with 4.4 μM benzylaminopurine, somatic embryos appeared. Several stages of embryogenesis were present in the cultures. Adventive embryos were readily separated from the friable embryogenic masses by shaking. Separated somatic embryos, germinated on solidified Murashige & Skoog medium without growth regulators, developed into plantlets.