Establishment of Callus Culture, Somatic Embryogenesis, and the Regeneration of Cotton Plants

Abstract

For the induction of genetic variability and genetic manipulation studies, it is essential that the cells in culture develop into complete plants. In cotton, callus capable of differentiation has been established in a number of wild and cultivated species of Gossypium. There are two modes of differentiation, i.e., organogenesis through bud formation and somatic embryogenesis, the latter being more prevalent. Recently, numerous publications have appeared on the induction of somatic embryogenesis in cotton, and the subject reviewed (Gawel and Robacker 1995). Plants regenerated from callus derived from segments of hypocotyl and leaf, and isolated protoplasts transferred to pots/ field matured, and some of them bloomed and set bolls (Shoemaker et al. 1986; Stelly et al. 1989; Zhang et al. 1994). In this chapter, our work on the establishment of callus, induction of somatic embryogenesis, and plant regeneration in various species of Gossypium is discussed.