Plant Tissue Cult. 11(1) : 65-75, 2001(June)

Somatic Embryogenesis and Regeneration of Plantlet from Immature Embryos of maize (Zea mays L.)

Usha Rani Das¹, Syed Hadiuzzaman and R. H. Sarker

Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh E-mail: baptc@bd.drik.net

Key words: Immature embryo, Somatic embryogenesis, Zea mays, Plantlet regeneration

Abastract

Maximum callus initiation occurred on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/1 2,4-D from the scutellar part of the maize embryo after three four days of culture. Plantlets obtained mostly from 14 - 15-day-old embryos via somatic embryogenesis from yellowish-white, hard and compact Type-I callus or organogenesis within six-seven days upon transfer of the callus on hormone-free MS medium. MS medium with 2.0 mg/1 BAP produced plantlets through shoot bud formation. Embryos of F₁- (M947 ? M948) produced highest percentage of callus and showed highest frequency of regeneration compared to Barnali and F₁- (M950 ? M951) on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/1 BAP followed by hormone free MS. Comparatively rapid and Vigorous root formation was achieved on half-strength of MS medium under cool white light than magenta light. All regenerated plantlets survived in the field producing mostly normal ears, tassels and set kernels.

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