Direct somatic embryogenesis in Coffea canephora.

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) provides a useful model to study embryo development in plants. In contrast to zygotic embryogenesis, SE can easily be observed, the culture conditions can be controlled, and large quantities of embryos can be easily obtained. In Coffea spp several model systems have been reported for in vitro SE induction. SE for coffee was first reported in Coffea canephora. Several systems have been developed since then, including SE from callus cultures derived from leaf explants; a two-phase experimental protocol for SE from leaves of Coffea arabica; and from leaf explants of Arabusta or C. arabica using a medium with cytokinins. Here we report a protocol using young leaves from in vitro seedling pre-conditioned with growth regulators. This is a simplified method to obtain a faster and more efficient protocol to produce direct somatic embryos in C. canephora.