Embryogenesis and organogenesis in cultured anthers of an oil yielding crop niger (Guizotia abyssinica. Cass)

Anthers of niger (Guizotia abyssinica. Cass) were inoculated onto five different media differing mainly in their inorganic and organic constituents and plant growth regulators to study their influence on callus induction (embryogenic/non-embryogenic) and plant regeneration. LS medium supplemented with 2 mg 1-1 2,4-d, and 0.3 mg 1-1 KN favoured the production of EC, whereas 2 mg 1-1 BAP and 0.5 mg 1-1 KN promoted the NEC from anthers. Different types of embryos were initiated upon transfer of EC to Chaleff's R-2 medium containing 2 mg 1-1 NAA and 0.3 mg 1-1 KN and/or 5 mg 1-1 ABA. NEC when transferred onto the medium supplemented with 1 mg 1-1 BAP and 0.1 mg 1-1 NAA produced on an average 8–12 shoots/callus mass. Embryoids developed from the EC and shoots differentiated from NEC when cultured onto the Chaleff's R-2 and MS media respectively lacking growth regulators, they transformed into whole plantlets. The plantlets thus obtained were successfully hardened and grown to maturity for analysis of various plant characters.