First report of ovary-derived calli induction in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Soybean is an important oilseed crop. Culturing of ovaries either for haploids, doubled haploids or embryo rescue is very limited. To fasten the development of new varieties through in vitro approaches, this study attempts to induce callogenesis in soybean ovaries. Ovaries from six genotypes (JS 335, SL1074, Pusa12-13, SL958, SL955, and DS9712) of soybean were cultured to examine the induction of callusing using the B5 medium with plant growth regulators viz. 10.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 1.0 mg/L, IBA and 1.0 mg/L BAP along with 200 mg/L, myo-inositol with sucrose 30 g/L and agar 4 g/L and cultured at 26 +/- 1 degrees C. The explants were raised initially in dark for 30 days followed by a 16/8 hours photoperiod. The calli induction percentages in genotypes Pusa12-13 and SL958 were 88.8 and 77.7% respectively. This is the preliminary study that reports callus initiation in ovaries in soybean for further crop improvement. [GRAPHICS] .