PLANT-REGENERATION FROM PROTOPLASTS DERIVED FROM EMBRYOGENESIS SUSPENSION-CULTURES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

Plant regeneration was repeatedly achieved from protoplasts of wheat. Protoplasts were isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures initiated from immature embryo-derived small granular callus, which was composed of 0.2 to 1.0 mm granules in size. This type of callus was critical to success and was selected step by step during repeated subcultures. The suspension cultures used for protoplast preparation were easily established from small granular callus by shaking in liquid medium for 20 days. The frequency of protoplast division was 7 to 1 0 % for cv. Jinan 177, and 1 to 2 % for cv. Jinan 15 in modified N6 medium. After 6 to 8 weeks, protocolonies were sequentially transferred to callus proliferating and plant regenerating media and produced healthy plants within 6 to 8 weeks. The plant were transferred to soil and grown in the greenhouse. No plant grew to maturity.