Defence reactions of desiccated cotyledonary somatic embryos and mature zygotic embryos of Abies numidica were tested by dual cultures with tester, fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii. Both types of embryos expressed defence reactions. Mutual comparisons of zygotic and somatic embryos showed important differences between defence reactions against mycelial growth towards these embryos. Greater defence reactions were observed in zygotic embryos relative to defence found in somatic embryos.