Identification of the regeneration potential of embryo derived calluses from various indica rice varieties

The regeneration response of mature and immature rice embryos from 15 rice varieties (Oryza sativa L. var indica) was separately measured in terms of regeneration per cent and total number of regenerated plantlets obtained for a fixed sample size per variety, when cultured on standard MS media. The response of the rice varieties was classed as high, medium or poor, based on the above criteria. The regeneration per cent of genotypes showing high, medium and poor response ranged from 67 to 97, 38 to 63 and 0 to 36 respectively. The variation in the regeneration response amongst the defined groups was found to be statistically significant in terms of regeneration per cent and total plantlets for a constant sample size when subjected to one way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test. Only small influences on regeneration frequency were found when the most and least responsive genotypes, Binnatoa and BR-23 were cultured on N6 and MS media with additional or different supplements.