Somatic embryogenesis in protoplast derived calli of cultivated jute, Corchorus capsularis L.

Protoplasts were isolated from cotyledon, hypocotyl and mesophyll cells of Corchorus capsularis L., a major fibre crop, by one step enzyme digestion method. They were further cultured successfully on modified KM-8p (Kao and Michayluk, 1975) medium to form microcalli. The required cultural conditions could be used to achieve 34% to 78% plating efficiency, depending upon the source of protoplasts. Hypocotyl protoplasts gave the highest plating efficiency. On transfer to regeneration medium, somatic embryos developed at high frequency. The present success is a significant step forward in the development of meaningful plant cell culture methods for application in jute.