Abstract
Somatic embryogenesis is an efficient micro-propagation technique, which can lead to mass multiplication of tea with a tap root. Hence, the development of a viable somatic embryogenesis and multiplication protocol through liquid culture conditions is needed to increase the efficiency of the protocol. Cotyledon-derived somatic embryos, leaf and stem callus of TRI 5001 cultivar, were tested with different liquid MS media. A significantly higher cotyledon-derived somatic embryo multiplication rate was observed in MS +3 mg/L Thidiazuron (TDZ) medium. Callus proliferation and compact and embryonic callus formation were comparatively higher in MS + 1.1 mg/L TDZ, 1.86 mg/L NAA medium, and subsequent somatic embryo formation was observed in MS + 0.1 mg/L NAA,1 mg/L BAP and 0.2 mg/L GA3 medium on callus produced on leaf explants. Higher nodal callus proliferation and compact callus formation were recorded in MS+0.11 mg/L TDZ 0.1 mg/L IBA and higher embryonic callus was observed in MS+0.1 mg/L TDZ, 1.86 mg/L NAA media. Plant regeneration was resulted in MS+3 mg/LBAP 0.1 mg/L NAA medium. Identified treatment combinations can be used as a foundation to establish somatic embryogenesis protocol through different explants of tea.