Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Echinochloa glabrescens Munro ex Hook. F.

Abstract

Summary Embryogenic calli which were compact, globular and white in appearance were initiated from young inflorescences and young leaf segments of Echinochloa glabrescens cultured on MS nutrient medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP. The induction frequency of embryogenic calli was more than 91% in young inflorescences and 41% in leaf segments. The embryogenic nature was maintained after more than seven months of subculture. The embryoids gave rise to plants on MS regeneration medium. High frequency of green plant regeneration was obtained from both explant cultures of E. glabrescens . However in leaf cultures, albino plants were also observed. Normal green plants grew to maturity, flowered and set seeds. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed that the white, compact, globular callus contained embryoids in various stages of development. Typical bipolar embryoids with scutella, coleoptiles and coleorhizae were observed.