Screening of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] genotypes for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration potential

Twenty two soybean genotypes were evaluated for the capacity of embryo initiation, differentiation, maturation and plantlet regeneration using standardized protocols. Among the genotypes, Bragg was to have high response to induction with 91.11% and average 38.40 embryos/callus mass), proliferation (89.47%) and differentiation (78.95%) however, SL 688 gave the highest maturation frequency (91.57%). Highest somatic embryogenesis germination was recorded in SL 525 (85.67%) whereas, highest survival was observed in JS 335 (82.22%). Genotype Pusa 37 gave the poor response. Fifteen genotypes which were identified as responsive were Bragg, Bragg-Palampur, Pusa 5, Pusa 12, Pusa 14, Pusa 16, Pusa 24, Pusa 40, Pusa 9814, SL 688, SL 525, SL 979, SL 958, DS 2706 and DS 2708. The study thus open up vistas for efficient transgenic plant development in soybean.