Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Efficient plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis has been developed in chickpea cultivar C235. Leaf explants, on MS medium supplemented with 1.25 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.25 mg/l kinetin, yielded somatic embryos with high efficiency during dark incubation. MS medium supplemented with B5 vitamins, 0.125 mg/l IBA and 2 mg/l BAP was found suitable for embryo maturation. The well formed embryos germinated into plantlets on basal B5 medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l BAP. Further development into healthy plantlets was obtained on basal B5 medium. Hardened plantlets produced normal, fertile plants upon transfer to soil.