Young leaves of cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.) were used to induce somatic embryogenesis, which were cultivated initially in MS basal medium suplemented with 6.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L IAA (established medium ) followed by MS basal medium supplemented with 2,20 mg/L TDZ (induction medium). Vascular region of explants showed intumescement three days after inoculation in established medium, which was followed by the formation of calli clusters. Calli mass were transferred to induction medium, and the structures with proembryogenic characteristics could be observed after one week. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed structures with somatic embryos characteristics in the medium with TDZ.
Theobroma grandiflorum; somatic embryos; TDZ
