Direct somatic embryogenesis from protoplasts of Citrus mitis Blanco.

Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures of Citrus mitis were cultured in a medium without any plant growth substances. Somatic embryos developed directly from protoplasts without an obvious intervening callus phase. As many as 1,800 somatic embryos developed from 4 ml of protoplast suspension (density 2×10(6)/ml) cultured for 35 days. Upon transferring the embryoids to medium with 1 mgl(-1) GA3, they developed into plant-lets. Rooted plantlets were obtained in 3 months after protoplast isolation.