Process for ex vitro sowing and germination of plant somatic embryos

A process of germinating somatic embryos, which comprises:

• (a) placing a somatic plant embryo on or within a non-sterile three-phase substrate, the phases comprising solid, liquid and gas phases,
• (b) placing the substrate containing the somatic embryo into an environmentally-controlled plant-growing environment in which at least one environmental factor may be controlled and manipulated,
• (c) manipulating at least one factor to enable and facilitate germination of the somatic embryo, and
• (d) applying water and/or a nutrient solution at regular intervals during the period of somatic embryo germination for a period of time such that somatic embryo imbibition, germination, growth and development occur.

A process for germinating somatic embryos having a period of somatic embryo germination, said process comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a somatic embryo on or within a three-phase substrate, said phases comprising solid, liquid and gas phases,
• (b) placing said substrate containing a somatic embryo into an environmentally-controlled plant-growing environment in which at least one environmental factor may be controlled and manipulated,
• (c) manipulating said at least one factor to enable and facilitate germination of the somatic embryo, and
• (d) applying water and/or nutrient solutions at regular intervals during said period of somatic embryo germination by drenching or irrigating the three-phase growing media, for a period of time such that somatic embryo imbibition, germination, growth and development occur.