Affiliation: | (1) Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Division of Agronomy, Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, 413 Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(2) School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, 620 024 Tiruchirappalli, India |
Abstract: | Summary In vitro regeneration of plants via somatic embryogenesis through cell suspension culture was achieved in horsegram. Embryogenic calluses were induced on leaf segments on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 9.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Differentiation of somatic embryos occurred when the embryogenic calluses were transferred to liquid MS medium containing 2,4-D. Maximum frequency (33.2%) of somatic embryos was observed on MS medium supplemented with 7.9 μM 2,4-D. Cotyledonary-torpedo-shaped embryos were transferred to liquid MS medium without growth regulators for maturation and germination. About 5% of the embryos germinated into plants, which grew further on solid MS medium. The plants were hardened and established in soil. Effects of various auxins, cytokinins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and other additives on induction and germination of somatic embryos were also studied. A medium supplemented with 7.9 μM 2,4-D, 3.0% sucrose, 40 mg l−1 L-glutamine, and 1.0 μM abscisic acid was effective to achieve a high frequency of somatic embryo induction, maturation, and further development. |