Somatic embryogenesis from leaf protoplasts of Rauvolfia vomitoria shoot cultures.

Rauvolfia vomitoria mesophyll protoplasts have been isolated from axenic shoot cultures and cultured (10(5)-10(6) protoplasts per ml) in Murashige and Tucker liquid medium containing growth regulators. Within 6-8 weeks, a mixed population of calli and proembryos were obtained and transferred on solid media. Calli produced shoots; however, rooting did not occur. Somatic embryos achieved different patterns of development. In particular, whole plantlets have been obtained either directly through germination of primary embryos or via embryogenic calli.