Pk. Jayasree et al., Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature anthers of Hevea brasiliensis (Muell.) Arg., CURRENT SCI, 76(9), 1999, pp. 1242-1245
High frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration were achieved f
rom immature anthers of Hevea brasiliensis - the natural rubber-producing t
ree. Optimum callus induction was observed on modified Murashige and Skoog
(MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l Kn. Subsequent cu
lturing of callus on medium containing various concentrations and combinati
ons of auxin/cytokinin, cytokinin, resulted in embryo induction. Maximum nu
mber of somatic embryos were produced, on medium supplemented with 0.7 mg/l
Kn and 0.2 mg/l NAA. Further development of the embryos into plantlets was
achieved on a hormone-free medium. Cytological analysis revealed that all
the plantlets tested were diploid. Plantlets transplanted to polybags were
maintained under greenhouse conditions, and subsequently established in the
field.