Identification of Callus Induction Potential of Nine Different Genotypes of Indica Rice

Callus induction potential of nine economically important indica rice genotypes of Tamil Nadu and neighboring areas was examined on different callus induction medium. Nine genotypes include Improved White Ponni(I W Ponni), BPT-5204, TKM-9, CR1009, ADT-39, ADT-43, KKL(R) -1, CO(R)-48 and Savitri/ Ponmani. These rice genotypes were having distinct useful agronomical trait like resistance to various pest, tolerance to salinity and drought conditions. Most of the indica rice genotypes having good grain quality and nutritional properties are susceptible to pest and diseases causing loss in annual yield. The yield could be enhanced by genetic improvement by rice transformation to enable them to withstand biotic and abiotic stress. First step towards this approach is to produce a pleuripotent cell mass, callus induced from scutellum of mature rice seeds. MS basal medium with various 2, 4 Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) concentrations (2mg/L, 2.5mg/L, 3mg/L, 4mg/L and 5 mg/L) was used for these studies. Four indica rice genotypes I. W. Ponni, ADT- 43, BPT-5204 and TKM-9 found to be potent for callus induction from scutellum of mature seed at the concentration of 2mg/l to 5 mg /l 2,4-D. The varieties ADT-39, KKL (1) R, CO(R) 48, CR1009 and Savitri/Ponmani were recalcitrant and no embryogenic calli was obtained on either of the 2, 4-D concentration. 34 % of healthy calli obtained from I W Ponni 20 % of healthy callus induction obtained from BPT-5204 and 10 % of healthy calli from each of the ADT-43 and TKM-9. These indica rice genotypes could be used for various plant science researches.