Abstract: A process is provided for inducing direct somatic embryogenesis in Pooideae and rapidly regenerating fertile plants by first culturing isolated immature scutella cells in culture medium comprising auxin, cytokinin and polyamine in amounts effective to cause direct formation of primary embryos without an intervening callus stage, at least until at least one primary embryo reaches the globular developmental stage, the auxin being present in greater proportion than cytokinin.

Abstract: A process for inducing direct somatic embryogenesis and secondary embryogenesis in monocotyledonous plant cells and rapidly regenerating fertile monocotyledonous plants is provided. In a first step, embryogenic monocotyledonous plant cells are cultured under conditions conducive to direct formation of primary embryos without an intervening callus stage, at least until at least one primary embryo reaches the globular developmental stage and no longer than the coleoptilar stage. In a second step, one or more primary embryos from the first step are cultured under conditions conducive to induction of secondary embryo formation, until secondary embryogenesis is detected. In a third step, one or more secondary embryos from the second step are cultured under conditions conducive to regeneration of plantlets from the secondary embryos.