CLONING IN VITRO AND SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN FOENICULUM VULGARE MILL. (FENNEL) OF 'ZEFA FINO' AND 'ZEFA TARDO'

For two breeding lines of fennel, 'ZEFA FINO' and 'ZEFA TARDO' 15 selected plants were established and cultured in vitro on a modified MS medium. From these cultures the induction of somatic embryogenesis (SE) was tested. Two genotypes responded with SE-formation on a MS basic medium supplemented with 2,4-D (1 mg/l) alone (FV-8) or plus 0.3 mg/l Kinetin (FV-6). Plants from SE developed on a hormone-free, half-strength MS basic medium (FV-9). Transfer and establishment of SE plants in soil was possible but at a low succession rate.