Efficient plant regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos of <i style="">Hyoscyamus muticus</i> L.

Abstract

A protocol has been developed for plant regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos of <i style="">Hyoscyamus muticus</i> L. Somatic embryogenesis was achieved in callus cultures derived from cotyledonary leaf pieces on MS (1962) medium enriched with NAA (0.26–2.64 <img src='/image/spc_char/micro.gif'> <i style="">M</i>) and BAP (2.2 <img src='/image/spc_char/micro.gif'> <i style="">M</i>). For synthetic seed production and subsequent conversion into plantlets, somatic embryos were encapsulated using 3% sodium alginate and 75 m<i style="">M</i> CaCl₂ as gel matrix. Maximum conversion frequency of 69% was noted from encapsulated somatic embryos cultured on MS medium without plant growth regulators. Plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were transferred to pots containing autoclaved mixture of peat moss, compost and soil (1:1:1). The encapsulated embryos could be stored up to 60 days at 4^oC. There was negligible mortality of complete plants while they were being transferred from artificial soil to natural soil and finally to the open field.