Indirect somatic embryogenesis was obtained for 11 clones of 6 Vitis vinifera cultivars: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Merlot and Sauvignon, and for the rootstock Fercal [(Vitis berlandieri x Vitis colombard) x (Vitis vinifera x Vitis berlandieri)], starting from vegetative explants of in vitro plantlets. Embryogenic callus was recovered from nodal explants of every tested clone, while leaf explants led to embryogenesis only for the rootstock Fercal. We thus showed that axillary bud microcuttings are valuable explants for inducing somatic embryogenesis in V. vinifera and Fercal. Embryogenic cell lines have been maintained through secondary embryogenesis, and some embryos were converted into whole plantlets. A complete protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration was therefore designed, using this very simple method.
