Repetitive Somatic Embryogenesis in Cacao and Optimisation of Gene Expression by Particle Bombardment

In order to achieve repetitive somatic embryogenesis in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), callus derived from floral tissues were continuously cultured in a medium containing 2,4-D. In 5% of the explants, repetitive somatic embryogenesis was observed after 8 weeks and maintained in a globular stage for several weeks. This is the first report showing repetitive somatic embryogenesis in cacao. The calli were bombarded with a plasmid containing $\beta$-glucuronidase (gus) as reporter gene. Two week old calli showed the high average number of cells expressing the us gene. The effect of osmotic agents (mannitol, sorbitol and sucrose) on gene expression was evaluated. Pre-treatment during 16 h with 0.25 M mannitol revealed an improvement in gene expression. The potential utilization of the repetitive embryogenesis, combined with osmotic treatment, is discussed as an alternative to achieve stable transgenic cacao plants.