An investigation was conducted under laboratory conditions, to define the basic methodology in solid culture, to achieve somatic embryogenesis in tissue of hypocotyl and cotyledon of carrot (Daucus carota L.) cultivars Kuroda, Nantes and Brasília. Different concentrations of 2,4-D (0.5; 1.0; 2.5 and 5.0 mg/l) were studied in comparison to 1.0 mg/l of NOA. The results showed that the hypocotyl explants of the three cultivars were more adequate to develop somatic embryogenesis than the cotyledonary tissues. The best concentration of 2,4-D for inducting embryogenesis was 0.5 mg/l, independently of the kind of explant and cultivar. However it was less efficient than NOA at 1.0 mg/l. It was also observed that the carrot cultivars and the explants studied, reacted differently to the tissue culture medium utilized.
carrot; Daucus carota L.; somatic embryogenesis; culture media; explants