Application, factors and responsible genes in Somatic embryogenesis of plants

In spite of rapid progress in plant biotechnology, somatic embryogenesis has been used as one of the most applicable techniques for micropropagation and plant regeneration, lack of comprehensive and systematic studies associated with the somatic embryogenesis still persists up to now. In this review paper, general aspects of in vitro somatic embryogenesis such as terminology, factors which are involved in somatic embryogenesis in different species and induction and development stages in the gymnosperm, dicots (globular, heart shaped and torpedo) and monocots (globular, scuetellar, and coleoptilar stages) have been explained. Plant growth regulators functions, physiological condition of mother plants, application of somatic embryogenesis for transgenic crop production, genetically approaches such as gene expression pattern involved in somatic embryogenesis and finally molecular and physiological markers to distinguish the embryogenic competence cells have been discussed in the present paper.