Development of a somatic embryogenesis protocol for tea [(Camellia Sinensisl.) O. Kuntze] from leaf calli

Abstract

Somatic erabryogenesis is an efficient regeneration system with high genetic integrity ayich useful in tea crop improvement. The prosent study was conducted with the objective of developing a viable somatic embryogenic protocol from leaf calli of tea. Leaf segments of z ^ (el) leaves of FRI 2043 and 2024 cultivars were used to indsce calli and for induction of somatic embryos 2nd and 3 ^ prime prime sub cultures were selected. Calli were inoculated in MS media with (1) 2mg * l ^ - 1 benzyl amino purine + 3 mgt naphthol acetic acid; and (ii) 2mg * l ^ - 1 benzyl amino purine - 3.5me * l ^ - 1 naphthol acetic acid growth regulator combinations. The greatest amount of embryogenic callus proliferation in both cultivars was achieved from 3 ^ prime prime subcultures using 2mgl - 1 benzyl amino oumise+ 3.5me * l ^ - 2 naphthol acetic acid medium. Compact and friable callus was observed in all culture bottles 3 weeks after culturing and friable calli was reported as the best for somatic embryo induction. Somatic embryoids were observed in 2mg * l ^ - 1 benzyl amino rho urine+ 3mz * l ^ - 1 naphthol acetic acid of TRI 2043. Significantly highost relative growth rate (92.21 %) was observed from leaf callus in 2mo * t ^ 4 benzyl amino perine+ 3.5 3.5mg * l ^ - 1 naphthol acetic acid of TRI 2024 when, using 2 subculture (Mean value 83.89) second subculture of leaf callus in MS medium with 2mx * l ^ 4 benzyl amino purine 3 mathfrak mgt ^ (- t) naphthol acetic acid is better to indice somatic embryos