Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in tissue cultures of Artemisia annua L.

Abstract

Mature seeds of Artemisia annua L. were placed onto Murashige and Skoog`s (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52\;M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). After 6 weeks of culture, off-white, compact calluses were formed on the plumule of seedlings at a frequency of 5.9%. Calluses were subcultured on the same medium. After an additional 2 weeks of subculture, calluses produced a few somatic embryos at a frequency of 28.8%. Upon transfer to MS basal medium, calluses producing a few somatic embryos gave rise to numerous somatic embryos, which subsequently developed into plantlets. Plantlets were successfully transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a greenhouse.