AbstractAn in vitro system for the initiation of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of spring‐ and winter‐type rye has been developed. The optimal developmental stage of immature embryos to be used as explants is the late stage of spherical coleoptile when the tissue turns milky in colour and the coleoptile is enlarged but spherical. The type and concentration of auxin in the induction medium is of importance for obtaining high efficiency of somatic embryogenesis. CC‐medium high 30 μM Dicamba resulted in well developed somatic embryos in large umbers. Positive effects on the efficiency, intensity and speed of development of somatic embryos have been observed by the addition of coconut water to CC‐medium, replacing agar by agarose and culturing the explants in low light intensity.Following a “step by step” optimization, culture conditions have been defined giving rise to a 90—100 efficiency of somatic embryogenesis and a high number of rege
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