An important factor influencing somatic embryogenesis was
the physiological condition of the explant used for embryogenesis.
When the culture duration of multiple shoot cultures from
which the explants were taken increased from 30 to 90 d, the
response time also increased and there was a reduction in
percentage of embryogenesis and number of embryos formed
per explant. Embryo induction in explants from 30-d-old multiple
shoot cultures occurred within 15 d whereas in explants
derived from 60- and 90-d-old multiple shoot cultures, embryo
formation occurred after 30 d. The physiology as well as the
anatomy of the explants may be different in older cultures,
which may contribute to a delayed response