Induction of Somatic Embryogenesis and Long Term Maintenance of Embryogenic Lines of Litchi

We have been successful in the long term maintenance of embryogenic cultures for two cultivars of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Purbi and Bedana. The embryogenic lines could be stably maintained through frequent sub-culturing on long term maintenance medium containing 2,4-D + IASP without loss of embryogenic competence. The combination of activated charcoal, sucrose, and polyethylene glycol in the embryo development and maturation medium provided the highest number of mature embryos that were not very rich in starch granules but had high phenolic compounds. Nevertheless the matured somatic embryos were successfully germinated on MS medium consisted of MS salts and B5 vitamins with Kinetin 1 mgl⁻¹, Gibberellic acid (GA) 5 mgl⁻¹, coconut water 50 ml l⁻¹, 3% (w/v) sucrose, 7 gl⁻¹ agar and grown into normal plants on conversion medium (CM) and its efficiency was different in different cultivars i.e. in Purbi-49% and Bedana-36.1%.