Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf tissue of jojoba

A protocol was developed for the induction, maturation and germination of somatic embryos from leaf tissue of jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider]. Explants were placed on their adaxial sides in Petri dishes and maintained in darkness on half-strength Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS/2). Combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1.35-4.52 muM) with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.33-4.43 muM) and 2 synthetic cytokinins, N-(2-chloro-4pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (1.21-4.03 muM) or (E)-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-but-2-enylamino] purine (1.11-3.71 muM) resulted in formation of embryogenic cultures and somatic embryos. After two 30-day subcultures, embryogenic cultures were transferred onto MS/2 medium supplemented with different auxins and cytokinins. Somatic embryo maturation, germination and plantlet formation were achieved using 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (3.75 muM) or indole-3-butyric acid (3.44 muM) in combination with BA (0.44 or 1.33 muM) or F3iP (0.37 or 1.11 muM). Histology confirmed each stage of development.