Callusing from wheat root explants: Effect of different developmental stages and gamma irradiation doses

Abstract

Root tips of about 5-6 mm length excised from 3,4 and 5 days old seedings of nontreated seeds were cultured on B5 medium + 10mg/12, 4-D. Callus initiation took place after 32 days in 3 days old root tips, 26 days in 4 days old and 23 days in 5 days old root tips. Callus induction was significantly highest in 3 days old root tips (34.6%) among 4 days old (13.7%) and 5 days old root tips (25.1%) 30KR and 35KR gamma irradiated seeds derived root tips of only 3 days old seedlings were also cultured on the same medium. Callus initiation took place within 4 days and callusing was 72.3 percent in 30KR and 71.9 percent in 35KR root tips. Shoot regeneration was negligible from 3, 4 and 5 days old root tips of nontreated seed. While large number of green spots with profused network of roots were formed on regeneration media. However 30 KR and 35 KR root tips calli showed shoot regeneration but frequency was low.