Plant regeneration from embryogenic calli of six Citrus related genera

Abstract

Somatic embryos were induced from immature seeds of eight Citrus relatives including Aegle marmelos, Atalantia ceylanica, Citropsis gabunensis, Clausena excavata, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Microcitrus australasica, Murraya paniculata and Severinia buxifolia on MT medium supplemented with 0.05 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D, 0.05 mg l⁻¹ BA and 400 mg l⁻¹ malt extract. Approximately 20% of somatic embryos from six of the genera underwent callogenesis during subculture on the same medium. After at least six successive subcultures on MT medium containing 10 mg l⁻¹ BA, calli became growth regulator independent. Somatic embryos from growth regulator independent calli were obtained with MT medium containing 5% lactose. Plantlets were regenerated from somatic embryos on MT medium containing 0.02 mg l⁻¹ NAA, and established in soil.