Plant regeneration through callus initiation from mature and immature embryos of maize (Zea mays L.)

An efficient regeneration was developed using mature and immature embryos by using Maize (Zea mays L) variety MU 2092. Mature embryos are removed from surface sterilized seeds, slice them into halves and immature embryos are detached from seed endosperm. Both are used as explants to initiate callus on N₆ medium supplemented with 2, 4 D @ 4.0 mg. L⁻¹. The induction frequency of primary calli i.e embryogenic callus was 90% in maize. The embryogenic calli on N₆ medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) @ 0.5 mg. L⁻¹ and kinetin @ 0.5 mg. L⁻¹ was more effective in producing shoots. The culture expressed maximum plant regeneration potential with eight shoots per embryo on regeneration. Green shoots thus developed were successfully rooted within 20 days on MS media containing IBA (Indole-3-Butyric acid) 1mg L⁻¹. Over 86% of rooted plants grew well and produced seeds normally when transferred to green house. The important advantage of this improved method is shortening of regeneration time by providing an efficient and rapid regeneration tool for mature and immature embryos.