CULTURE OF AND FERTILE PLANT-REGENERATION FROM REGENERABLE EMBRYOGENIC SUSPENSION CELL-DERIVED PROTOPLASTS OF WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

Regenerable embryogenic cell suspensions initiated from immature embryo-derived friable, fast growing, embryogenic calli of GK Sagvari winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) served as sources of protoplasts, which were cultured in different liquid or agarose-solidified media. Protocallus formation was best on KM8P (Kao and Michayluk 1975) and GM (Li and Murai 1990) media, and protocallus growth on MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) callus growing medium. Green shoot/plant regeneration occurred on MS regenerating medium, and rooting on MS or N6M (Morocz et al. 1990) hormone-free media. Protocalli maintained their morphogenic capacity over 4 months, and with multiple subcultures on half-strength MS regenerating medium, the total number of regenerants could be increased. Approximately 1000 shoots/plants were regenerated and over 500 plants were transplanted in the greenhouse. The majority of them had an abnormal chromosome number and low viability, however, one plant grew to maturity and set seed.