CBN-V Video Archives - S7-06
Induction of High Frequency Somatic Embryogenesis in Cassava for Cryopreservation

Danso K.E. and B.V. Ford-Lloyd

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK ked054@bham.ac.uk

        Methods for induction of high frequency somatic embryogenesis in cotyledons and twenty nine clonal accessions of cassava were investigated. Cotyledons and all accessions from Latin America (CIAT) were embryogenically competent on 8 mg/l 2,4-D supplemented medium plus 1 µM copper sulphate, as were eleven out of the 14 accessions from Africa. Addition of copper sulphate to the induction medium enhanced primary embryo induction and significantly increased secondary somatic embryo production. It also reduced the maturation time of somatic embryos to 25 days from embryo initiation. The percentage calli producing somatic embryos ranged from 7.5% in M.Bra 12 to 100% in M.Col 1505 while embryos produced per callus ranged from 0.3 in M.Bra 383 to 14 in TEK.. High levels of 2,4-D concentrations were detrimental to embryo production. Similarly, dark incubated fragmented embryos produced more secondary embryos compared to light incubation. The use of somatic embryo micropropagules for germplasm conservation and synthetic seed development is a strong possibility.

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