Initiation of Embryogenic Cultures and Somatic Embryo Development in Chirpine Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

Attempts were made to induce somatic embryogenesis from different explants of Pinus roxburghii SE was induced successfully from immature zygotic embryos while all other explants produced non embryogenic callus which could be maintained in culture for few months after which it turned necrotic. Better survival and embryogenic callus induction rates were obtained when pre cotyledonary zygotic embryos were cultured with the mega-gametophyte. Study of effect of different media and phytohormones indicated that DCR medium was better for both induction and multiplication of embryogenic callus. Maturation of somatic embryos was by and large the limiting factor in this study. Many media supplements were used for achieving embryo maturation but only sporadic embryo maturation was obtained on media supplemented with 50 μM ABA. Most of the somatic embryos dedifferentiated into callus soon after appearance, while those reaching cotyledonary stages germinated into emblings on basal medium.