Distinctive response of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes in vitro with the acceleration of phytohormones

In maize, immature embryos (IEs) are highly regenerative explants most suitable for producing high frequencies of plantlet regeneration in vitro. Apart from media, explants, and hormones, genotypic variation also influences in vitro characters to a great extent. In the present study, IEs were used to study the distinctive effect of variation of size/stage and hormones in different genotypes on five in vitro characters viz., frequency of callus induction, growth rate of total callus, frequency of E. callus induction, and volume and number of regenerated plantlets. LS medium with different concentrations of 2,4-D (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0 and 5.0 mg/L) were used to study the former four in vitro characters, and medium with 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin (0.5 mg/L, each) was used for plantlet regeneration. IEs of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mm in size were isolated from four inbred lines viz., NM74C, NM81A, NM5883 and NM5884. Two-way ANOVA revealed that explant size and genotypes, as well as hormonal concentrations showed significant effects on in vitro characters. Two millimeter IEs were found to be suitable for in vitro cultures. LS medium with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D and LS with BAP and Kn (0.5 mg/L, each) were found to be the best hormonal concentrations for callus induction, maintenance, and regeneration, respectively. Among the four genotypes, NM81A and NM5883 yielded more non-embryogenic and Type I E. calli. In contrast, NM74C and NM5884 yielded more highly regenerative Type II calli. Inbred line NM5884 was found to be the best among these four genotypes.