Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura).

Somatic embryogenesis was observed in ray-floret explants of Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura cv. Aboukyu on Murashige and Skoog medium containing high concentrations of 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) and kinetin. 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid also induced somatic embryogenesis but indole-3-butyric acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid did not. Other cytokinins, such as 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron, were also not effective. No embryos were seen at lower IAA concentrations with kinetin and various concentrations of BAP, although higher BAP concentrations yielded many adventitious shoots. In contrast, no somatic embryogenesis was observed from leaves using any combination of plant growth regulators. Histologically, primordia showed a typical embryo shape with a well-developed vascular bundle between the shoot and the root primordia. Embryos had both stomata cells and a root system with polarity. Plants were efficiently regenerated from ray floret-derived embryos subcultured in the appropriate medium.