A process is provided for inducing direct somatic embryogenesis in Pooideae and rapidly regenerating fertile plants by first culturing isolated immature scutella cells in culture medium comprising auxin, cytokinin and polyamine in amounts effective to cause direct formation of primary embryos without an intervening callus stage, at least until at least one primary embryo reaches the globular developmental stage, the auxin being present in greater proportion than cytokinin. A second step includes either a) culturing the primary embryos under conditions to regenerate plantlets, and culturing the primary embryos in regeneration medium; or b) culturing the primary embryos at the globular developmental stage and no longer than the coleoptilar stage in culture medium comprising auxin, cytokinin, and polyamine in amounts effective to cause induction of secondary embryo formation, at least until secondary embryogenesis is detected, the cytokinin being present in greater proportion than auxin, and culturing the secondary embryos under conditions to regenerate plantlets.