Induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature embryos of Eksotika papaya (Carica papaya)

P. Vilasini, Z. Latipah and A. Salasiah

Abstract

Embryogenic callus cultures were obtained on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium, with full-strength vitamins and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). The optimum level of 2,4-D was found to be 10 mg/L where a high percentage of zygotic embryos produced embryogenic callus or sometimes-direct somatic embryos were formed on the apical dome of the immature embryos. Sucrose at 6% (w/v) was a better carbon source than maltose. Germination of somatic embryos occurred when transferred to MS medium (full strength), 3% (w/v) sucrose and a combination of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.1 mg/L) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) (0.1 mg/L). The transfer of the somatic embryos to hormone-free medium before germinating them was helpful in decreasing the incidence of abnormal plants. Plants were successfully rooted and transferred to vermiculite:sand:soil mixture (1:1:1). The plants were acclimatised for 2 weeks under high humidity before transferred to the glasshouse.

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