Somatic embryogenesis is a process where somatic cells like haploid cells develop into embryos and regenerate plants. It was first achieved in 1958 with carrot suspension cultures. There are two types - direct embryogenesis from explants without callus and indirect embryogenesis which involves first forming a callus. The process involves stages of callus initiation, embryo development and maturation, and plantlet formation. Somatic embryogenesis has advantages like high propagation rates, use in suspension culture, artificial seed production, and labor savings.