Somatic Embryogenesis in Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop cv Sprengeri

An efficient protocol has been developed for plant regeneration in Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop cv Sprengeri (Asparagaceae) through somatic embryogenesis from spear sections. Callus culture was initiated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium formulation containing α-naphthaleneacetic acid (5.37 μ M), indole-3-acetic acid (5.71 μ M) and 6benzylaminopurine (2.22 μM). The callus became embryogenic by transferring to 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (4.52 μM) containing MS medium. Somatic embryos developed and matured vigorously on MS medium with NAA (1.07 μM), 6-γ-γ-dimethylaminopurine (9.84 μM) and abscisic acid (1.89 μM). Mature bipolar embryos were converted efficiently into plants on MS medium in the presence of low level of kinetin (2.32 μM). Regenerated plants showed 80% survival after transfer to field. These plants were all diploid (2n=60). Peroxidase activity was maximum in the embryogenic callus as documented from the gel as well as spectrophotometric analysis.