Abstract:

Somatic embryogenesis was successfully induced with auxin in high concentration from immature cotyledons of eighteen varieties of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) adaptable for planting in Northeast China. The frequency of somatic embryogenesis varied from 0.29% to 77.62% among eighteen genotypes of soybean. The proliferative somatic embryos were gained from ten varieties of soybean at rate of 5.2%-22.1%. For the first time, plantlets were obtained even after subcultured and maintained on solid medium for over one year. This system provided a new and efficient receptor for genetic transformation of soybean.

Key words: Glycine max, somatic embryo, proliferation, maintainable culture, germinated plantlet