Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Soybean [<i style="">Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr.]

Abstract

Establishment of efficient protocol for the induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from embryonic axes explants was achieved in <i style="">Glycine max </i>(L.) Merr. Highest frequency (92.9%) of embryogenic callus formation was obtained from embryonic axes explants of cv. CO-1 on MS media containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyl adenine (BA). Fast growing, yellowish nodular callus lines containing somatic embryos were established on initiation medium supplemented with 180.8 µ<i style="">M</i> 2,4-D and 2.22 µ<i style="">M</i> BA, respectively. Embryo development and maturation was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.26 µ<i style="">M</i> 2,4-D and 8.88 µ<i style="">M</i> BA. The well formed embryos germinated into complete plantlets on MS medium containing 8.88 µ<i style="">M</i> BA and 1.34 µ<i style="">M</i> NAA (a-Naphthalene acetic acid). The regenerated plants were first transferred to plastic cups and later into pots for maturation. Regenerated plants did not exhibit observable morphological alterations.