High yields of protoplasts were obtained from immature leaves of aseptically grown plants of Arachis hypogaea using an enzyme solution containing cellulase 2.0% (w/v) and Macerozyme 1.0% (w/v) in 0.6 M mannitol. Isolated protoplasts were cultured in Kao's medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The protoplasts started to divide after 3–5 days of culture. Sustained divisions resulted in mass production of cell colonies and mini calli in 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, protoplast colonies were transferred to the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and BAP. Colonies proliferated into actively growing calli. Further attempts to regenerate plants from such calli were not successful. However, protoclones differentiated roots on the same medium. Alternative methods for plant regeneration from protoplast derived callus cultures were tried through somatic embryogenesis. Protoplast-derived calli treated with 2,4-D and BAP formed somatic embryos. Somatic embryogenesis began in the proembryo stage and proceeded from globular to dicotyledonary stage. Embryos were then transferred onto hormone-free MS medium for germination. Five to ten percent of these embryoids germinated and grew to plantlets. Regenerated plants were transferred to plastic cups and grown to maturity.
582 PB 091 PLANT REGENERATION FROM EMBRYOGENIC CALLUS TISSUES OF KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
