Abstract
Cinnamomum kanehirae fruits at various stages of maturity were collected from Wulai
(Taipei), Guanwu Forest Recreation area (Hsinchu), and Dasyueshan (Taichung) for an
analysis of somatic embryogenesis. Only seeds that developed to the white cotyledonary
stage which occupied < 75% in the seed volume could induce embryogenesis. Embryos
could germinate, and somatic embryogenesis was induced from immature embryos
cultured on WPM medium supplemented with activated charcoal (AC). When cultured on
medium with a PGR supplement, embryos began somatic embryo differentiation directly or
formed a somatic embryo from an intervening callus. Nodular calli had a better somatic
embryo regeneration capacity then friable calli. The best medium for somatic embryogenesis
was WM medium containing 0~1 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 0~0.5 mg/L kinetin,
and 1 g/L AC. The optimum medium for multiplication of white-cotyledonary stage
somatic embryos was WM medium supplemented with 1 g/L AC, 3 mg/L NAA, and
0.5~1 mg/L kinetin. After 40 d of culture, somatic embryos had increased to 2.3~2.5 times in
fresh weight. When cultured on WPM basal medium supplemented with 26.4 mg/L abscisic
acid (ABA) and 1.5 g/L AC, respective rates of germination and normal plantlet development
for white cotyledonarystage somatic embryos were 58.9 and 50%. The survival rate of
embryogenic plantlets was > 95% after being transferred to a greenhouse. After 6 mo, the
plantlets with an average height of 17 cm were transplanted to Yuchi (Nantou) and Yuanshan
(Yilan). The average height was 133±31.5 cm 1 yr after transplanting to Yuchi, and was
212±42.9 cm 17 mo after transplanting to Yuanshan.