SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT-REGENERATION IN SORGHUM-BICOLOR (L) MOENCH

Callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration were ob tained in two cultivars of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Transverse thi n cell layers from roots/epicotyls of 15-day-old seedlings or of regen erated plantlets were used. CaIlus response depended on the genotype, the size of transverse thin cell layers, the level at which transverse thin cell layers were excised on the epicotyl, the composition of gro wth substances and the number of in vitro regeneration cycles undergon e by the donor plant. Somatic embryos were differentiated under a defi ned dark/light sequence, from epidermised compact calluses (i.e having already differentiated an epidermis), obtained directly with dicamba or from friable callus initiated with kinetin and 2,4 dichlorophenoxya cetic acid. The importance of kinetin and dicamba on the induction of embryogenic potential is reported.