Embryo rescue: An approch to recover plantlets in early maturing subtropical peach

An experiment was conducted to standardize embryo age and culture type to recover extra-early maturing seedlings from early maturing cultivars Saharanpur Prabhat (SP) and Flordasun (FS). Embryos were cultured at five ages in two types, viz. in ovulo and excised embryo cultures. Embryo growth in terms of length was higher than ovule growth. Growth pattern of all genotypes was similar however SP as seed parent showed higher growth over FS. Saharanpur Prabhat as seed parent showed germination from six week to nine week age except, it cross with Flordasun gave embyo germination at 10 week age also. On the other hand, Flordasun as seed parent did not show any germination at six week age except it's cross with Saharanpur Prabhat in in ovulo culture. Maximum germination in excised embryo cultures in all genotypes was observed at eight week age with the highest of 94.88 per cent, however, in in ovulo culture maximum germination was recorded at nine week age with the highest value of 39.89 per cent. Regression analysis between germination and embryo age showed polynomial relationship with R² value varying from 0.53-0.99. Days taken to germination decreased with increase in embryo age. The in ovulo culture germination index followed similar trend to germination percentage. Maximum plantlet recovery, i.e. 30.0 per cent was recorded in SF × FS when excised embryos were cultured at eight-week age. Among genotypes, SP × FS combination produced the maximum plantlet recovery (17.37 per cent).