Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in cotyledonary explant cultures of Chinese cabbage

Cotyledonary explants of Chinese cabbage were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Up to 20% of the cotyledonary explants produced somatic embryos with or without intervening callus production. Explants became more competent as the age of the source seedlings increased up to 8 days, but cotyledonary explants from 10-day-old seedlings were not responsive. Upon transfer to MS basal medium most of the somatic embryos developed into plantlets. Plantlets were transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a phytotron. Among three cultivars used, only cotyledonary explants of 'Top Salad' were capable of producing somatic embryos.