Somatic embryo-like structures of strawberry regenerated in vitro on media supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP.

Somatic embryo-like structures (SELS) were produced in vitro from leaf disk and petiole explants of two cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) on Murashige and Skoog medium with different concentrations and combinations of 2,4‑dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and sucrose to check the embryonic nature of these structures histologically. A large number of SELS could be regenerated in both cultivars on media with 2 - 4 mg L-1 2,4-D in combination with 0.5 - 1 mg L-1 BAP and 50 g L-1 sucrose. Histological examination of SELS revealed the absence of a root pole. Therefore these structures cannot be strictly classified as somatic embryos. The SELS formed under the tested culture conditions represent malformed shoot-like and leaf-like structures. The importance of these results for the propagation of strawberries via somatic embryogenesis is discussed.