Somatic embryogenesis of Liquidambar styraciflua induced from staminate flower and inflorescence axis

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a garden landscaping tree with strong adaptability, fast growth, and red color of autumn leaves. In order to improve efficiency of its propagation, we used staminate flower and the inflorescence axis as explants to investigate effects of explant types, genotypes and TDZ concentration in culture media on callus and somatic embryo induction with random complete block design. The results showed that the optimal medium for induction of embryogenic callus was modified Blaydes medium+TDZ 0.15 mg/L+casein hydrolysate 1 g/L+surcrose 40 g/L+3% Phytagar(sigma) with staminate flower as explant. The optimal medium for induction of embryogenic callus was modified Blaydes medium+TDZ 0.01 mg/L+casein hydrolysate 1 g/L+surcrose 40 g/L+3% Phytagar(sigma) with inflorescence axis as explant. The suitable medium of germination was modified Blaydes medium without casein hydrolysate. Once globular-stage embryo formed, we transferred it to the same medium without plant growth regulators, and somatic embryos would mature and germinate to developed plantlets. The establishment of this somatic embryogenesis system will significantly improve propagation efficiency of Liquidambar styraciflua.