Plant regeneration of salt adapted callus of indica rice (var. Basmati 370) in saline conditions

NaCl adapted callus of a salt sensitive scented indica variety of rice (Oryza sativa var. Basmati 370) showed 55% regeneration in culture medium supplemented with IAA and kinetin. Regeneration was low in 85 mM NaCl but a concentration of 128 mM was inhibitory to regeneration. SEM study revealed organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from the same callus. The rate of survival and endogenous free proline content of the plants regenerated from the NaCl adapted callus was significantly higher than for those obtained from unadapted callus in liquid maintenance media supplemented with NaCl.