Short communication: Induction of somatic embryogenesis in absence of exogenous auxin in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in absence of exogenous auxin can clarify some basic concepts of somatic embryogenesis. Explants from leaf and petiole of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were used in this experiment for somatic embryogenesis using three different modified B5 basal media; boron and 2,4-D but no IAA as control (I), boron and IAA but no 2,4-D (II) and no boron, 2,4-D and IAA (III). Leaf explants grown on III produced somatic embryos indicating an induction potential for somatic embryogenesis with an incomplete medium. The endogenous auxin of the leaf explants might have a potential for triggering induction of somatic embryogenesis.