Résumé
To speed up the creation of new varieties of #C. arabica# in Central America F1 hybrids selected for their agronomic value are cloned using somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis was accomplished in the standard way by callus induction on leaf fragments followed by the production of embryogenic cell suspensions. Embryogenesis was achieved using a culture system based on temporary immersion in a liquid medium. Mastery of the different stages of regeneration means a potential of 40000 embryos can be obtained per gramme of callus. Approximately 3000 embryos ready for hardening were produced in a 1-litre vessel over a 6-month period. Compared to semi-solid medium the simplification of the handling processes involved in this culture system reduces labour costs by a factor often. But the major advantage of the system lied in the improvement in the quality of the resulting embryos, which allowed the rapid development into plants of the majority of embryos os transferred to the nursery before complete germination was obtained #in vitro#. The results cited above were obtained on 9 different hybrids and 15 000 somaplants. The future economic viability of industrial production of coffee somaplants depends on mastering such a method of complete regeneration on a liquid medium plus direct hardening of embryos. (Résumé d'auteur)