Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of neem (Azadirachta indica A.!Juss.)

Somatic embryos were initiated with mature seeds of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ). Regeneration occurred via somatic embryogenesis: direct embryo formation and through an intermediary callus phase. TDZ was very effective and induced somatic embryogenesis across a wide range of concentrations (1-50 mu M). However, somatic embryogenesis was accompanied by callus formation at concentrations of 20 mu M and above. Cell suspension cultures were established with the TDZ-induced callus and groups of large cell clumps were formed within 2-3 weeks. Plants were regenerated from both directly formed somatic embryos and somatic embryos derived from cell suspensions plated on semisolid medium devoid of growth regulators. Regenerated plantlets continued to grow after transfer to a greenhouse environment and were similar phenotypically to zygotic seedlings. This simple regeneration system may be beneficial for mass propagation of selected elite clones of neem.