SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND ARTIFICIAL SEED PRODUCTION IN ZONAL (PELARGONIUM X HORTORUM) AND REGAL (PELARGONIUM X DOMESTICUM) GERANIUM

Somatic embryos have been produced from petioles and hypocotyls of Zonal geranium and from petioles of Regal geranium. Somatic embryos of both species have been desiccated and subsequently germinated. Some important factors that influence the rate of somatic embryo production in geranium are discussed. They include culture medium factors such as auxin and auxin dosage, carbohydrates, amino acids, pH, and basal medium composition. The donor plant genotype also appeared to have an effect on somatic embryogenesis and survival after desiccation.