Genetic analysis of short term callus culture and morphogenesis in pearl millet,Pennisetum glaucum

Genetic analysis of five in vitro characters was made through a 5 × 5 diallel analysis using callus derived from immature inflorescence segments of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). The characters studied were: — volume of total callus, — frequency of embryogenic calli, — embryogenic callus volume, — growth rate in terms of increase in fresh weight, and — frequency of regeneration. High heritability values and heterosis were noticed for all these characters except for E callus frequency. Additive gene action was predominant for callus growth rate and frequency of regeneration. Of the five inbreds, IP 1346 (= P5) was found to be the best genetic background for embryogenic callus volume, embryogenic growth rate and frequency of regeneration. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.