In Vitro Propagation of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) by Somatic Embryogenesis

Induction of somatic embryogenesis is described in common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Embryogenic tissues are obtained from immature zygotic embryos and cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 8.8 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4.4 μM benzyl-adenine. Embryogenic tissue is subcultured and multiplied on medium supplemented with reduced concentration of plant growth hormones. Somatic embryos develop and mature by transfer to hormone-free medium and subsequent culture on medium containing low amount of benzyladenine. Somatic embryo germination and conversion are enhanced by cold storage at 4�C and successive transfer onto Woody Plant Medium (WPM). Fully developed plantlets are then transferred to pots and acclimatized in the greenhouse equipped with a mist system.