FACTORS AFFECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF EMBRYOGENIC CALLUS AND SUSPENSION-CULTURES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

Improved suspension cell culture systems are needed to facilitate the application of recombinant DNA technology for wheat germplasm enhancem ent, This study evaluated three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars , and the effects of medium basal salts, 2,4-D, sucrose, and L-proline concentrations on the establishment of rapidly growing and highly emb ryogenic callus and suspension cultures. Percent embryogenic calli was visually estimated and verified with light and scanning electron micr oscopy. The most highly embryogenic callus was produced by cultivar Bo bwhite on medium with MS basal salts, 5.6 mu M 2,4-D, 58 mM sucrose, a nd zero proline. The suspension cultures that produced the greatest nu mber of regenerated plants utilized callus tissue produced on solid me dium with MS basal salts, 87 mM sucrose, 9 mu M 2,4-D, and no proline.