ABSTRACT
The origin of somatic embryos obtained from meristematic apexes of the Musa (AAA) clone "Gran enano" was analyzed through histological and morphological studies during the various development phases of the process. The research point out that somatic embryos developed directly from perivascular parenchyma cells of the leaves. Histological sections of globular embryos showed a radial disposition to cell and the existence of an epidermal layer that surrounds the embryo completely. When citocinine (Z or BA) was added, some embryos remained in globular stage with mild signs of enlargement but with no later development of invagination. Other's embryos reached the invagination stage; and some reached the enlargement stage with active photosynthetic tissues. However there were no to generation of complete plant regardless of additional treatment, such as "osmotic shock" or the additions of GA3--At present do not have an explanations for this results. Therefore, additional experiment should be in early, intermediate and later stages of somatic embryogenesis, in order to understand the mechanisms underlying the lack of development of plants from somatics embryos.
