Question

What is somatic embryogenesis?

Answer 1

Somatic embryogenesis is an artificial process in which a plant or embryo is derived from a single or group of somatic cells.

Explanation:

No endosperm is formed around a somatic embryo as it is generated by somatic cells that are not usually involved in the development of the embryo.

Somatic embryos are mainly produced in vitro for laboratory purposes , using nutrient medium ( solid or liquid ) containing plant growth regulators.

Applications of somatic embryogenesis are :
- clonal propagation of plant materials
- elimination of viruses
- to source tissue for genetic transformation
- generation of whole plants from single cell.