Morphological and anatomical observations of abnormal somatic embryos from anther cultures of Citrus reticulata.

A morphological and anatomical study of regenerants obtained from mandarin anther culture was carried out. Beside morphologically normal somatic embryos, abnormal structures were originated in the course of somatic embryogenesis. Anatomical anomalies can be found at several growth stages, causing the formation of slender stems, stubby structures, non-functional leaves. When too long, some structures are subject to shedding, with the formation of various abscission zones. Most of them are subject to degeneration, although many are capable of further, localized, morphogenesis. A thorough knowledge of morphology and anatomy of normal and abnormal regenerants could make possible to select and subculture the lines considered most suitable for conversion into plantlets.