Development of an efficient protocol for somatic embryogenesis from different explants of tea [camellia sinensis (L.) O.Kuntze]

Abstract

Tea,Camellia sinensis [L.) o. Kuntze, is a perennial plantation crop with high economic value in Sri Lanka and mainly consumed as a a drink everywhere. However, Tea growers are facing difficulties in getting quality planting materials in Sri Lanka. Need has emerged to search some alternative method to increase planting materials to fulfil the growers demand. The planting materials derived through the somatic embryogensis (se) considered as superior and profiable over other in vitro propagation systems. Therefore, this study has been carried out to develop and establish an efficient and reliable se protocol to obtain high quality planting materials.