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

Five genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) PG1, PG5, PG12, N59 and C235 were evaluated for induction of somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis was induced from immature cotyledons of genotypes PG12 and C235 and immature embryo axes of genotypes PG5, PG12 and C235. Genotypes N59 and PG1 showed no response. The maximum frequency of globular embryo formation occurred in cotyledonary segments on MS medium with 3.0 mg/l 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). Further embryo development was achieved only in somatic embryos derived from cotyledonary segments of genotype PG12. Globular-stage embryos derived from immature embryo axes of PG5, C235, PG12, and cotyledonary segments of C235 dedifferentiated and formed callus. The cotyledonary stage embryos of genotype PG12 germinated on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l zeatin. The regenerated plants were transferred to soil and grown to maturity.