title: Somatic embryogenesis in leaves and leaf-derived protoplasts of Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayward (kiwifruit).
abstract: The obtention of embryogenic competence in Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayward is reported. Axillary buds from shoots submitted to cold (4°C) and starvation for 1.5 months, developed leaves with embryogenic competence. These leaves, cultured in darkness for 1.5 months on a medium containing zeatin as a sole growth regulator, originated compact structures from which embryos developed. The plating orientation and sectioning of leaves strongly affected the expression of the embryogenic potential. A selected fraction of the protoplasts isolated from these leaves was able to develop in an embryogenic way. The germination of the embryos is still only occasional.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências de Lisboa, Bloco C2, Piso 1, Campo Grande, 1700, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pais