Embryogenic cell suspensions of Triticum aestivum x Leymus angustus F1 hybrids: characterization and plant regeneration.

Embryogenic cell suspension cultures were established from Triticum aestivum X Leymus angustus F1 hybrids, using compact nodular calli derived from inflorescence segments. Calli originating from leaf segments did not give rise to stable cell suspensions. Growth measurements of the cell suspensions revealed that they continued rapid growth up to 10 days after subculturing. Flow cytometric studies of the cell cycle over a 7 day culture period showed that the majority of cells were in G1 phase while the rest were either in S or G2. During the 7 days of culture, no significant differences in DNA distribution patterns were observed. The cells from suspension cultures produced somatic embryos when they were transferred to different solid media. The embryos germinated and gave rise to plantlets which were successfully rooted and transferred to soil.