The coordinate expression of mRNA classes in pecan (Carya illinoensis) zygotic and somatic embryos has been studied. MRNA was isolated from zygotic embryos at early and late maturation stages (12 to 22 weeks post-pollination) and during germination. Additionally, mRNA was isolated from somatic embryos derived from a repetitive embryogenic system prior and after cold (6 weeks at 4°C) and desiccation treatments (5 days). These treatments have been determined to enhance somatic embryo conversion. The abundance of embryogenic mRNA classes was determined using various cloned cotton mRNA probes (Hughes and Galau, 1989). This study is a part of our efforts to elucidate the developmental and physiological differences between zygotic and somatic embryo systems in pecan.