Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration capacity from mature and immature durum wheat embryos

Seven Moroccan durum wheat genotypes were tested on callus induction and plantlet regeneration from immature and mature embryos cultures. The genotypes tested were: Karim, Sebou, Isly, Jawhar, Anouar, Ourgh and Massa. For all the cultivars, five parameters were considered: Callogenesis, zygotic germination, Callus growth, percentage of embryogenic calli, percentage of regeneration and Number of plantlets per regenerating callus (NPRC). The results of the study showed that morphogenetic capacity of callus was influenced by the genotype and explant sources. Immature embryos gave much higher levels of embryogenic callus and plant regeneration than mature embryos. The highest regeneration capacity was observed from immature embryos in Anouar, Karim, Ourgh and Sebou. Therefore, they could be used in in vitro selection. Among the regenerated plants, albino plants have been observed from immature embryo calluses. Other variations were also observed after transfer of plantlets to soil such as abnormalities in spike morphology and leaf coloration.