Five rice cultivars viz., ASD 16, White Ponni, Pusa Basmati 1, Pusa Sugandh 4 and Pusa Sugandh 5 belonging to subspecies indica were compared for its ability in callus formation and regeneration. In this experiment, the different parameters viz., the effect of hormones (2,4-D and kinetin), organic supplement (coconut milk O1-CM 100 mll-1, O2-CM 75 mll-1, O3-CM 50 mll-1), explants (seed and immature embryo), media (MS and N6), carbon source (sucrose and maltose) using five genotypes on callus response was studied. The effect of hardening methods was also assessed. Results showed that for enhanced callus induction was with MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mgl-1 2, 4-D + 0.5 mgl-1 kinetin + 30 gl-1 maltose irrespective of explants used. Addition of 100 ml l-1 coconut milk was found have improvement in callus response. The performance of immature embryo was better than seed for callus induction, emrbyogenic callus formation, rhizogenic callus formation and regeneration. MS media provided superiority over N6. Among the genotypes Pusa Basmati 1 rendered outstanding performance in callus behavior. The treatment combination MS + 2.5 mgl-1 BAP + 0.5 mgl-1 NAA + 1.0 mgl-1 KN gave the highest organogenesis response and regeneration of plantlets. Hardening in mist chamber was recognized as the best method to give the highest per cent of regenerated plant lets.
Mature seed-derived callus of the model indica rice variety Kasalath is highly competent in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
