Department of Plant Breeding, Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar, Pusa, Samastipur - 848 125, India.
1Present Address: Division of Plant Breeding, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793 103, India.
Although embryo culture may presently seem at first sight represent a relatively minus aspect of tissue culture, the plant embryo is not only of historical significance in this context, but also has considerable current and potential importance in many areas of the field. In contrast to mature differentiated tissues, embryonic tissue generally show a greater capacity for rapid direct regeneration and are likely to provide the best source of uniform clonal material in mass macropropagation techniques. Embryos on germinating seedlings are frequntly the best material for initiation of readily regenerating cell cultures and early embryos, the zgote which gives rise to them and the male gametes which contribute to their formation, are possible targets for in vitro transformation, mutation and other genetic manipulation studies. The aim of this review is to summarise with particular reference to legumes, the major applications of embryo culture in plant breeding, and to highlight areas of current rapid development and possible future potential.
