Abstract:
Somatic embryogenesis is an efficient regeneration system with high genetic integrity which
useful in the crop improvement. The present study was conducted with the objective of
developing a viable somatic embryogenic protocol for leaf calli of tea. Leaf segments of 3 rd
leaves of TRI2043 and TRI2024 cultivars were used to produce calli and for induction of
somatic embryos 2 nd and 3 rd subcultures were selected. Calli were inoculated in MS media
with (i) 2 mgl -1 Benzyl amino purine + 3 mgl -1 Naphthol acetic acid; and (ii) 2 mgl -1 Benzyl
amino purine + 3.5 mgl -1 Naphthol acetic acid growth regulator combinations. The greatest
amount of embryogenic callus proliferation in both cultivars were achieved from 3 rd
subculture using 2 mgl -1 Benzyl amino purine + 3.5 mgl -1 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 the induction of somatic embryos. Somatic
embryoids were observed in 2 mgl -1 Benzyl amino purine + 3 mgl -1 Naphthol acetic acid of
TRI2043. Significantly highest relative growth rate (92.21%) was observed from leaf callus
in 2 mgl -1 Benzyl amino purine + 3.5 mgl -1 Naphthol acetic acid of TRI2024 when using 2 nd
subculture (mean value 83.89%). Second subculture of leaf callus in MS medium with 2 mgl -1
benzyl amino purine + 3 mgl -1 naphthol acetic acid is better to induce somatic embryos.
