Whole plant regeneration of Cicer arietinum from callus cultures via organogenesis.

A protocol for whole plant regeneration of Cicer arietinum L. cv. C-235 via organogenesis from callus has been developed. Callus initiation was best when immature leaflets were cultured on MS medium containing 5 or 25 μM 2,4-D or NAA in combination with 10 μM BA, or 25 μM 2,4-D alone. The callus grew most vigorously on MS medum supplemented with 10 μM NAA and 5 μMBA. Best shoot differentiation was obtained from calli derived from the basal portion of shoot tips on MS medium supplemented with 10 μM BA and 0.1 μM IBA. The shoot forming ability of calli was enhanced by adding 5 mM potassium phosphate to the medium. Shoots were rooted on a MS medium containing l μM IBA. The regenerated plants were grown to maturity and produced viable seed.