Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): I. Direct somatic embryogenesis from tissues of germinating seeds and ontogeny of somatic embryos

Summary A protocol was developed for induction, maturation and germination of somatic embryos from the tissues of germinating seeds of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Explants were cultured on growth regulator – free solid SH medium maintained in the dark. The first somatic embryos developing directly from the explant tissue were noticed after 60 d of culture. Somatic embryos originated from a ring-like tissue on the micropylar region of the seeds. Sucrose concentration of the medium was found to be crucial for the induction of somatic embryos, and 30 g l–1 was found to be the optimum. Maturation and germination of somatic embryos were achieved on the same medium. Suspension culture enhanced the process of maturation and germination. Regenerated plants were established in soil. Histology confirmed the ontogeny and each stage of development. Growth regulators were found to inhibit the induction of somatic embryogenesis. Cytological analysis of the regenerated plants revealed the normal chromosome number of 2n=52.