Article

A system of plant regeneration from leaf explants of Muscari armeniacum via somatic embryogenesis was established. The process of somatic embryogenesis was studied, and histological observation of this process was made. The results showed that: somatic embryos could be obtained from direct embryogenesis or indirect embryogenesis, and less abnormal embryos were achieved through the direct approach, i.e. direct somatic embryos were more suitable for plant propagation and genetic transformation; MS basal medium containing 0.5 mg∙L^-1 2,4-D and 0.1 mg∙L^-1 TDZ showed a high frequency of indirect somatic embryo production, while MS basal medium supplement with 0.1 mg∙L^-1 6-BA and 0.1 mg∙L^-1 TDZ exhibited a high frequency of direct somatic embryogenesis from cut leaf explants; the process of somatic embryogenesis of M. armeniacum was similar to that of monocotyledons, which included three stages: globular embryo, partial pear-shaped embryo and club-shaped embryo, and finally development into a plantlet.