Stimulation ofDaucus carota somatic embryogenesis by inhibitors of ethylene synthesis: cobalt and nickel.

The effects of Co(2+) and Ni(2+) on ethylene production and somatic embryogenesis by carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell cultures were studied. At concentrations of 10 μM to 50 μM, CoCl2 effectively inhibited ethylene production by embryogenic cultures and significantly stimulated somatic embryogenesis. The observed increase of embryo number was proportional to the inhibition level of ethylene production. However, CoCl2 had no effect when Ethephon was supplied. Nickel also reduced ethylene production, but to a slightly lesser extent than CoCl2, bringing about a lower increase in the number of somatic embryos. The role of ethylene on somatic embryogenesis is discussed.