Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cotyledonary explants of green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilezek.] -: A recalcitrant grain legume

This study reports a protocol for plant regeneration from cultured explants of green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] via somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos were induced from mature cotyledons of var. TAP-7 and Pusa Baisaki when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid singly or in combination with 2.22-8.88 mu M N-6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 2.32-9.38 mu M kinetin. The type and concentration of auxin and plant genotype influenced the frequency of somatic embryogenesis. NAA was the most effective auxin for somatic embryo induction. The well-developed, cotyledonary shaped embryos of var. TAP-7 germinated into plantlets at a frequency of 56.6% on MS medium supplemented with 1.88 mu M abscisic acid and 6.66 mu M BAP. Regenerated plants were transferred to soil and grown to maturity with 90% survival. The protocol described here offers a good potential for genetic improvement using gene transfer techniques and the production of synthetic seeds of V. radiata.