Abstract: Large and healthy cotyleden-stage embryoids were obtained on MS medium supplemented with KT 0. 5 mg/L, ABA 0.25 mg/L, prolin 500 mg/L and CH 500 mg/L by alternative culturing of seedling of celery (Apium graveolens) on solid and in liquid media. Desiccation of embryoids before storage increased the convertion rate of the somatic embryos, especially when they were pretreated with ABA and were dried under the condition of high RH, low temperature. Scanning electron miccroscopic observation and the comparisons of electro-conductivities and dehydrogenase activities between desiccated embryoids and nondesiccated embryoids demonstrated that desiccation embryoids have better storage ability as the former favors the retaining of the cell structure, membrane system and enzyme activity of embryoids during storage.

Key words: Celery, Somatic embryogenesis, Artificial seeds, Desiccation