Plant regeneration from callus cultures of Brassica carinata A. Br. and its implications to improvement of oil seed Brassicas

Abstract

Protocols of plant regeneration have been developed for Brassica carinata for creating somaclonal variation for plant type and adaptability, so that this species can fit into cropping systems in Indian agriculture. The response of cotyledonary and stem explants was assessed for callus induction and shoot regeneration on MS and B₅ basal media containing different combinations of auxin and cytokinin concentrations. MS medium supplemented with BA and NAA favoured callus induction. Supplementing MS with combinations of BA and IAA, as also with BA alone, regenerated shoots from the ex pi ants with a high frequency. The frequency of shoot regeneration and the mean number of shoots per explant were higher in cotyledons than in stem explants on identical growth regulator combinations. On B₅ medium, supplemented with BA (2 mg/l) and IBA (0.4 mg/l), compact callus was produced which regenerated shoots on transfer to medium containing BA (0.8 mg/l). Genotypic differences among carinata accessions for regeneration were also observed.