In-vitro organogenesis and plant regeneration from seed-derived callus cultures of finger millet (Eleusine coracana)

An efficient and reproducible plant regeneration system has been developed from seed-derived callus cultures of finger millet. Seeds of finger millet were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with different concentrations of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mg l(-1)) and Benzyl amino purine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mg l(-1)), to obtain organogenic calli. Highest callus induction frequency was obtained on MS media supplemented with 1.5 mg l(-1) 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 1.5 mg l(-1) of Benzyl amino purine. Varying degree of shoot regeneration, ranging from 0 to 64.2 %, was recorded at different concentrations of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.0 and 0.5 mg l(-1)) and Benzyl amino purine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mg l(-1)) tested. Optimal multiple shoot induction response was recorded on MS media supplemented with 3.0 mg l(-1) of Benzyl amino purine. Different concentrations of Naphthalene acetic acid (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg l(-1)) and Benzyl amino purine (0 and 1.0 mg l(-1)) were tested to induce root initiation response. Interestingly, optimum root induction was observed on MS basal media devoid of phyto-hormones, after 10 days of sub-culturing. Regenerated plants were transferred to pots containing coco-peat and maintained under controlled conditions for 3 weeks. Young plantlets were then transferred to green house and grown to maturity. Regenerated plants flowered after 65-70 days of transfer and seeds from the regenerated plants were collected at maturity.