A protocol was developed for high frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of Eruca sativa. Explants grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-D formed embryogenic callus after 4 wk of culture. Secondary somatic embryos were also produced from primary somatic embryos on MS medium containing 0.56 μM 2,4-D. Somatic embryos developed into mature embryos on MS medium in the presence of 45 g l⁻¹ polyethylene glycol. After desiccation, somatic embryos developed into plantlets by culturing the mature somatic embryos on 1/2×MS medium containing 0.24 μM indole-3-butyric acid.