Somatic embryogenesis and in vitro plantlet regeneration in Salicornia brachiata Roxb.

Salicornia brachiata Roxb. (Amaranthaceae) a leaf-less annual succulent halophyte, grows under extremely saline conditions and is an important resource for salt stress responsive genes. Here we report somatic embryogenesis and in vitro plantlet regeneration in S. brachiata for the first time. In vitro-grown seedlings were used as explants and 86.0 ± 1.7 % explants produced embryogenic callus on 0.75 % agar-gelled Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg l−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d) in 16 weeks. Somatic embryogenesis was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg l−1 2,4-d. On this medium sustained cell division and growth within the first 8 weeks resulted in the formation of cell aggregates in 73.65 ± 0.44 % cultures producing globular somatic embryos (SEs). Gradually these converted into heart, torpedo and cotyledonary shaped SEs following subsequent 16 weeks subculture on the same medium. Around 35 % SEs germinated on plant growth regulator free MS medium. The somatic seedlings were acclimatized on sterile soil with 40–45 % survival.