Somatic embryogenesis and isozymes in rose species Rosa hybrida L. cv. King's Ransom

Somatic embryogenesis was obtained from long term callus cultures of leaf bud in half strength MS medium supplemented with both 0.5 mg/1 2,4–0 +1.0 mg/1 NAA and 0.5 mg/1 2,4–0. However, further development of the somatic embryos into plants was obtained only from the 0.5 mg/1 2,4–0 supplemented cultures. Half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/1 2,4–0 + 1.0 mg/1 NAA + 0.5 mg/1 BAP yielded only non-embryogenic callus. Isozyme patterns were studied to distinguish between non-embryogenic and embryogenic calli and also between non-viable and viable somatic embryos in embryogenic calli. Specific isoperoxidases and isoesterases were found to be associated with the development of viable somatic embryos.