Abstract: A comprehensive in vitro culture of different explants of Prunus mume,including leaves,petioles, stems and immature cotyledons, was investigated and the regeneration protocol for P. mume was developed via somatic embryogenesis in the culture of immature cotyledons. Mature tissues displayed strong recalcitrance to plant regeneration. Whereas 40.4% and 25.3% of immature cotyledons developed into somatic embryo with intervening callus phase in the media containing 1.0 mg L - 1BA, 1.0 mg·L - 1NAA and 1.0 mg·L - 1 IBA in cultivars of‘Xuemei’and‘Lüpe’respectively, which were higher than other media in which somatic embryo could be induced. Simultaneously, there was also other undesired morphogenic reaction occurring in the various media used. The secondary somatic embryos were proliferated from the primary ones with high yield when they were transferred to fresh media. The somatic embryos ( 26.7% in‘Lüpe’and 23.8% in‘Xuemei’) could convert into plantlets at a higher frequency in our studywhen cultured on 1 /2MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg·L - 1BA, 0.1 mg·L - 1 TDZ and 1.0 mg·L - 1 IBA. Regenerated plantlets were successfully established in soil and grew well in the greenhouse.

Key words: Prunus mume, in vitro culture, embryogenesis, regeneration