Efficient Callus Induction and Plant Regeneration from Immature Anther of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) via Somatic Embryogenesis

High frequency somatic embroygenesis and plantlet regeneration from immature anther cultures of rice was described. Immature anthers were cultured on N6 medium with different concentrations of 2,4-D along with 1.0mg/l BAP and produced embryogenic callus with different stages of embryos. Increasing the concentrations of 2,4-D in the regeneration medium resulted in a decrease in the percentage of callus, but the number of embryos per culture increased. Theses somatic embryos were subcultured into fresh N6 medium with the same hormones for further development and maturation. Matured somatic embryos were transferred to N6 medium containing different levels of BAP in combination with 0.5mg/l 2,4-D/NAA for plantlet formation. The frequency of plantlet regeneration differed between auxin types. The maximum rate of plant conversion was 76.8% and 89.8% in medium with 2,4-D and NAA respectively. BAP was found to be necessary for embryo germination. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the soil, most of that were morphologically normal.