Somatic embryogenesis in protoplast derived calli of cultivated jute,Corchorus capsularis L.

Protoplasts were isolated from cotyledon, hypocotyl and mesophyll cells of Corchorus capsularis L., a major fibre crop, by one step enzyme digestion method. They were further cultured successfully on modified KM-8p (Kao and Michayluk, 1975) medium to form microcalli. The required cultural conditions could be used to achieve 34% to 78% plating efficiency, depending upon the source of protoplasts. Hypocotyl protoplasts gave the highest plating efficiency. On transfer to regeneration medium, somatic embryos developed at high frequency. The present success is a significant step forward in the development of meaningful plant cell culture methods for application in jute.Abbreviations B₅ Gamborg et al., 1968 - MS Murashige and Skoog, 1962 - SH Schenk and Hildebrandt, 1972 - Ad-SO₄ Adenine sulphate - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - NAA 1-naphthalene acetic acid - GA₃ Gibberellic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - Kn Kinetin - IBA Indole-3-butyric acid