Somatic embryogenesis is a process in which a plant develops embryos from somatic cells, which are any cells other than reproductive cells. This technique allows for the regeneration of whole plants from a single cell or tissue, making it valuable in plant breeding and biotechnology. It can be used to produce genetically identical plants, known as clones, which can help preserve desirable traits. This method is commonly used in the propagation of various species, including tropical plants and ornamental plants. Somatic embryogenesis can also aid in the conservation of endangered species by enabling the mass production of plants from limited genetic material.