Somatic embryogenesis in suspension cultures of Gossypium klotzschianum anderss.

Somatic embryoids differentiated in suspension cultures of G. klotzschianum after 3-4 weeks of culture in a liquid medium containing glutamine (optimally, 10-15 mM). Embryogenesis occurred after a preculture of callus on a medium containing 10 mg/l of the cytokinin, 2iP. The embryoids had meristematic regions, a well formed epidermis, and formed roots and vestigial leaves. Asparagine was much less effective than glutamine in promoting embryoid differentiation. The presence of 2,4-D in the medium resulted in increased vigor of the suspension cultures and subsequently in the formation of many embryoids, but does not seem to be necessary for somatic embryogenesis in cotton.