PLANT REGENERATION BY SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS FROM CALLUS OF MATURE SEED EXPLANTS OF BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

The objective of this study was to test genotypes and to evaluate media for effectiveness in promoting whole plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis in two wheat genotypes viz., Inqilab-91 and Pavon-76. Embryogenic callus was obtained by culturing seeds of both varieties on gel-solidified Linsmaier and Skoog’s (LS) medium with 3.5 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The callus cultures were maintained by subsequent subcultures onto fresh media at 4-5 weeks interval. The embryogenic calli carefully cleared of any surrounding non-embryogenic callus were grown on the gel-solidified basic Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium with 3% (w/v) sucrose after at least two subcultures. Seven different combinations of BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) and IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) i.e., 0 & 0.1, 0.5 & 0.1, 2.5 & 0.1, 5.0 & 0.1, 0.5 & 0, 2.5 & 0 and 5.0 & 0 mg/L, respectively, and one control were assayed. Highest frequency of green spot formation and plant regeneration (84% in Inqilab-91 and 52% in Pavon-76) was achieved at 0.5 & 0.1 mg/L of BAP and IAA, respectively. Higher concentrations of BAP in the media proved to be toxic and fatal for callus in some cases. Significant difference was observed among cultivars to callus in vitro and regenerate whole plants.