PLANT-REGENERATION VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN MANY CULTIVARS OF COTTON (GOSSYPIUM-HIRSUTUM L)

Embryogenic callus was formed from several cultivars of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) when sections of hypocotyl and cotyledon were cultured on medium supplemented with 5 mg/liter 6-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl-amino)-purine (2iP) and 0.1 mg/liter alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for callus initiation and proliferation, and subcultured on medium supplemented with 5 mg/liter NAA and 0.1 to 1 mg/liter 2iP for embryogenic callus induction. It seems that a high 2iP:auxin ratio is preferred for callus initiation and proliferation, but should be exchanged with a higher NAA:cytokinin ratio before differentiation will occur. Embryogenic calluses were recovered at a frequency of 2 to 85% depending on the cultivar used. Coker cultivars produced embryogenic callus faster and at higher frequencies than other cultivars. Embryogenic callus produced somatic embryos on phytohormone-free medium. This medium was used to maintain and proliferate embryogenic callus for a period of 18 to 24 mo. Somatic embryos were converted to plants on a lower ionic strength medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/liter gibberellic acid (GA(3)) and 0.01 mg/liter NAA. Glucose was the only carbohydrate used through all phases of tissue culture and was much better than sucrose, on which phenolic production was very high. High temperature (30 degrees C) and low light intensity (9 mu E.m(-2).s(-1)) were optimal conditions for callus initiation, embryogenic callus induction, and maintenance, whereas lower temperature (25 degrees C) and high light intensity (90 mu E.m(-2).s(-1)) were the optimal conditions for somatic embryo maturation, germination, and plantlet development. Plants could be regenerated within 10 to 12 wk in Cokers or 7 to 8 mo, in others.