Nitrilo triacetate increases the rate of single somatic embryos in Asparagus officinalis

A method for the production of single somatic embryos with uniform shape is described in Asparagus officinalis L. Two types of somatic embryos, namely, single embryos and multiple embryos are usually produced. The multiple embryos are aggregations of embryos that did not separate from each other, and these multiple embryos show irregular sizes and shapes. Different concentrations of nitrilo triacetate and application times were studied to increase the number of single embryos. When 100 μmol/L nitrilo triacetate was added to the medium for the production of mature embryos 2 weeks after inoculation of suspension cell clusters, the number of single embryos significantly increased. The somatic embryos produced in the media with nitrilo triacetate successfully developed into normal plants, and there was no significant difference in their conversion frequencies.