Differential effect of immature embryo's age and genotypes on embryogenic type II callus production and whole plant regeneration in tropical maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.)

The study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of genotypes and age of immature embryo on callus induction, embryogenic type II calli production and regeneration from immature maize embryos. The immature embryos were excised from a selfed ear of ten elite Indian maize inbred lines on 6, 12 and 18 days after pollination. The mean callus induction, embryogenic type II calli production, and regeneration was highest across all the genotypes in 12 days old immature embryos and were 44.25, 26.12, and 11.20 per cent respectively. The significant differences were observed with respect to callus induction, embryogenic type II calli production and regeneration capacity between genotypes. The highest regeneration capacity was observed by immature embryo at 12 days after pollination (DAP) of genotype HKI1105 and CM300.