Impact of Osmotica and Abscisic Acid on Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Tea

An in vitro protocol was developed to induce somatic embryos using mature cotyledons obtained from open pollinated flowers of cultivated Camellia species. Impact of abscisic acid () alone and its combination with osmotica was also evaluated on somatic embryogenesis. Various concentrations of osmoticum viz., polyethylene glycol (PEG) or mannitol or glycine betaine were tested where 5 mg L-1 and PEG 3% increased the number of somatic embryo formation compared to the other osmoticum coupled with . Results suggested that the use of osmoticum along with was quite effective to induce somatic embryos in tea. But germination of embryos required a new combination of nutrient medium. Inclusion of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA3) in the nutrient medium enhanced percent germination and its growth.