XVI International Botanical Congess

Somatic embryos of babaco [Carica x heilbornii Badillo n.m. pentagona (Heilborn)] were obtained from morphogenic callus and from callus-derived cell suspensions, both originated from leaf explants under several culture phases. Callus formation occurred in presence of various levels of TDZ and IAA in combination with organic addenda, however, GA3 appeared as necessary in the final culture phases for embryo induction. Under the present culture conditions, embryogenesis from cell suspensions in babaco was still low compared to embryo yield found in other edible species of the Fam. Caricaceae.