PLANT-REGENERATION VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN CHICKPEA (CICER-ARIETINUM L)

Efficient plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis has been develo ped in chickpea cultivar C235. Leaf explants, on MS medium supplemente d with 1.25 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.25 mg/l kinetin, yielded somatic embryos with high efficiency during dark incubation. MS medium supplemented wi th B-5 vitamins, 0.125 mg/l IBA and 2 mg/l BAP was found suitable for embryo maturation. The well formed embryos germinated into plantlets o n basal Bg medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l BAP. Further development into healthy plantlets was obtained on basal Bg medium. Hardened plan tlets produced normal, fertile plants upon transfer to soil.