Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Regeneration of Melia azedarach L (Ghora Neem) from Cotyledonary Segments

Embryogenic calli were obtained within 3–4 weeks on MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 200 mg I⁻¹ casein-hydrolysate, and 3 mg I⁻¹ each of 2,4–0 and NAA from 3–4 days imbibed seeds. Heart-shaped embryos differentiated when growth regulators were withdrawn gradually. Quantification of somatic embryo formation showed a direct relationship between initial response, somatic embryo formation and its subsequent germination. The somatic embryos germinated into emblings with 90% conversion frequency on MS medium containing 2% sucrose.