Abstract:On MS and B5 basic media the mature seed of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was induced to produce somatic embryoid. The results showed that the rate of occurrence of somatic embryoid varied with the variety of rice and the concentration of 2,4-D was important to the occurrence of somatic embryoid. For those varieties of rice suitable for induction, the induction factors such as KT, zeatin, BAP, ABA, osmotic pressure and so forth were stringently required at different stages of somatic embryoid development, and they also influenced the formation of somatic embryoid. The results of various layered cultures of embryonic calli proved that the somatic embryoid was derived from the surface layer callus containing embryonic cells. At the induction stage no somatic embryoid was formed in callus. The rate of somatic embryoid formation was over seventy per cent on liquid differentiation medium I.