Abstract: Observations on the callus sections showed that most embryoids were produced from surface layer cells of the callus and a few embryoids from inside layers of the callus. The initial cell of the embryoids possessed denser protoplasm and larger nucleus than the others cells did. The developmental sequence of the initial cell was similar to that of the zygotic embryos. First division gave rise to two daughter cells, the basal cell and terminal cell. The basal cell was able to divide or not divide again and changed into the suspensor, The terminal cell first divided longitudinally and then transversely into four cells. As the four cells further divided the embryo was formed properly. The embryoids possessed monody or polycotyledons. The production of the embryoids from a callus was not synchronous. So embryoids of different development stages could be found on the same callus.

Key words: Zea mays Tissue culture, Embryoid, Somatic embryogenesis