Abstract

The objective of our research is to develop an in vitro system which might be used in the improvement of this crop. Mature seeds of a cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Bang Ngoc) were used as plant material. Effects of the crude extracts containing plant growth regulators (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid) from plant tissues on somatic embryogenesis were studied. The callus initiation medium contained 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 1 mg/l NAA, and 0,5 mg/ BA. The scutellum of mature embryos grew into callus after 3 days in culture. Best regeneration frequencies were obtained when pieces of callus were grown on regeneration medium with either 0,5 mg/l NAA and 2 mg/l BA or 0,05 mg/l NAA and 0,5 mg/ BA. After a 5 day period, globular-stage embryos were visible on the surface of calli. The planlets obtained were transferred to a simple and hormone-free MS medium to facilitate regeneration of normal roots.