MICROPROPAGATION OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) USING MATURE ZYGOTIC EMBRYOS AS PRIMARY EXPLANTS

Wheat is one of the most important species of cereals used for food and feed as well as in the bioethanol industry. As a result of this fact, many studies are carrying out in order to increase the productivity of this species, particularly important from the economic point of view. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the most suitable concentration of mineral salts (MS, WPM and Gamborg basal nutrient media) and growth regulators i.e., 2,4-D, NAA, BAP and Kin for proliferation and regeneration of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) using mature zygotic embryos as primary explants. MS media resulted to be the most optimal basal nutrient media for embryos proliferation. There were significant differences among different PGRs concentrations in survival percentages and growth rates of zygotic embryos. The best response during proliferation stage for coleoptiles length was obtained on MS I media (NAA 0.1 mg l-1 and BAP 1.0 mg l-1), whereas for roots length was obtained on MS II media (NAA 0.5 mg l-1 and BAP 0.5 mg l-1). During plantlets micropropagation, MS media supplemented with BAP 3 mg l-1 resulted more effective in comparison when using Kin 0.5 mg l-1. This protocol can effectively be used for in vitro propagation of wheat.