Factors affecting the establishment and maintenance of embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Improved suspension cell culture systems are needed to facilitate the application of recombinant DNA technology for wheat germplasm enhancement. This study evaluated three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, and the effects of medium basal salts, 2,4-D, sucrose, and L-proline concentrations on the establishment of rapidly growing and highly embryogenic callus and suspension cultures. Percent embryogenic calli was visually estimated and verified with light and scanning electron microscopy. The most highly embryogenic callus was produced by cultivar Bobwhite on medium with MS basal salts, 5.6 μ M 2,4-D, 58 mM sucrose, and zero proline. The suspension cultures that produced the greatest number of regenerated plants utilized callus tissue produced on solid medium with MS basal salts, 87 mM sucrose, 9 μM 2,4-D, and no proline.