DIVISION OF PROTOPLASTS ISOLATED FROM CELLS OF SUSPENSION-CULTURE OF HEXAPLOID WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

We conducted selection of conditions dictating the process of division in isolated protoplasts of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Progress). Protoplasts were isolated from cells of actively growing suspension cultures obtained from morphogenic calluses of anthers and immature embryos. The quantitative yield of protoplasts and their viability were significantly affected by the type and concentration of osmotic agent, as well as by composition of the cell suspension culture medium. Protoplasts were cultured on modified B5 medium. Efficiency of protoplast division was 41%. After 7-8 weeks the microcolonies formed were transferred to an agared nutrient medium, on which they formed large clustered calluses with morphogenic regions. The roles played by the genotype, source of protoplast isolation, and cultivation conditions in determining the division of wheat protoplasts are discussed in the paper.