High Frequency of Callus Induction, its Proliferation and Somatic Embryogenesis in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Callus induction and somatic embryogenesis are fundamental to cotton tissue culture biotechnology. An efficient protocol for callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and their maturation have been developed to regenerate plantlets from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) variety coker 312. Embryogenic callus was initiated from hypo-cotyl region that was used as an explant at seedling stage when it was about 7-8 days old. Callus induction was achieved through culturing hypocotyls (5-7mm) on $MS_{1a} medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.1 mg/L) and KT (0.5 mg/L) for six weeks. A friable, colorless, bulky and well proliferating callus becomes greenish with the addition of NAA (2.0 mg/L), ZT (0.1 mg/L) and removal of 2,4-D (M $S_{1b}$) cultured for two weeks then again transferred to $MS_{1a}. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) promoted the proliferation of embryogenic callus, but had a negative effect on the differentiation and germination of somatic embryos. ZT (0.1mg/L) and activated charcoal (2g/L), both hormones play an important role in differentiation and germination of somatic embryos in hypocotyls derived embryogenic callus but in case of cotton, such a capability have been observed on MS medium with 1.92 g/L $KNO_3$, but it is considered to attain somewhat more improvement. High embryogenesis frequency was achieved through nutrient deficient stress treatment. The frequency of globular embryogenesis (two-three folds) was achieved when well proliferating callus was (from $MS_{1a}$ media) cultured on MS (1/5 strength) medium for four weeks. Here the development of anthocyanins is the best indicator for somatic embryogenesis. However, when embryoid callus was cultured on MS (full strength) medium, the globular embryos were developed into normal plantlets immediately. In this procedure 27.49% cotyledenary embryos were developed. Of that 70% cotyledenary embryos were developed not only into normal plantlets but rooted simultaneously, when cultured on MS (with 0.05 mgg/L giberrelic acid) medium. So complete plants could be regenerated through somatic embryogenesis from hypocotyl explants within 6 months.s.