Plant Regeneration from Callus Culture in Wheat 1

Abstract

Plant regeneration was investigated from embryo-callus culture in bread wheat, Triticum aestivurn L. Immature embryos of cultivar ‘Maris Huntsman’ were cultured on half-strength Murashlge and Skoog's medium (half-MS) supplemented with 0.5 mg 2,4-D[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid], 3.2 mg IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and 1.0 mg kinetin [6-(furfurylamino) purlne]/liter or without kinetin. On medium with 2,4-D, IAA and kinetin, 77% of the embryos produced a visible callus within 2 weeks. On medium without kinetin, all embryos produced a callus. Calll were cloned and maintained for over 900 days by subculturing at 50 to 60 days interval on half-MS medium with 0.5 mg 2,4-D/liter but regeneration ceased after 680 days. Calli showed organogenesis within 120 days of subculture on half-MS medium with 0.5 mg 2,4-D and 1.0 mg zeatin [6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl but-2 enylamlno) amino purine]/liter. Plantlets originated from callus by differentiation into shoot-primordia and bipolar structures. Plantlets produced roots on half-MS medium without growth regulators; however, 1.0 mg naphthalene acetic acld/llter in the medium promoted rooting. Regenerated plants included variants for plant height, stem thickness, leaf size, spike shape, pollen fertility and seed set.