Factors influencing callus induction and somatic embryo in Citrus japonica Thunb. from embryo culture

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the effects of media, type of medium, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), malt extract and size of fruit for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis from embryo culture of Citrus japonica Thunb. The embryos were cultured on solid or liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) or Murashige and Tucker (MT) (1969) media supplemented with and without 500 mg/l malt extract in combination with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mg/l 2,4-D for eight weeks. The highest percentages of callus induction and somatic embryogenesis were 100% in embryos from fruits with diameter of 0.4-1.4 cm. that were cultured on solid MT medium with 500 mg/l malt extract added in combination with 1.5 and 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D.