A comparative study of somatic embryogenesis in Secale vavilovii.

The ability of immature embryos, inflorescences and leaves of Secale vavilovii to form embryogenic callus was tested on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D. All cultured immature embryos formed calluses. The highest percentage of embryogenic callus production was from 1-2 mm embryos. Young leaves also formed calluses, mainly from the 10-15 mm basal segment, the percentages of embryogenic calluses being higher when cultures were maintained in darkness. Embryogenic calluses were obtained also from all the cultured immature inflorescences, in the three cases, rooted green plants were obtained and grown in soil. Comparison of the responses of the three explants used indicates that immature inflorescence is the most useful explant for obtaining regenerated plants in Secale vavilovii.