Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from undeveloped ovules and stigma/style explants of sweet orange navel group [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.]

Somatic embryogenesis was induced and plant regeneration was obtained in 11 different genotypes of sweet orange navel group [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] from cultures of stigma/style explants and underdeveloped ovules. Explants were cultured on 3 different modifications of Murashige and Skoog medium: 500 mg 1(-1) malt extract; 500 mg 1(-1) malt extract and 4.6 mu M kinetin; and 500 mg 1(-1) malt extract and 13.3 mu M 6-benzylaminopurine. Sucrose (146 mM) was used as carbon source. Somatic embryogenesis occurred 1-3 months after culture initiation from undeveloped ovule and stigma/style cultures of all the genotypes tested. Somatic embryos developed into plantlets with a high frequency (74%) after transfer to Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 146 mM sucrose and 500 mg 1(-1) malt extract. Plants were successfully transferred to soil.