In vitro somatic embryogenesis studies in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Advancement in breeding technologies and plant tissue culture methods, in biotechnology such as somatic embryogenesis, are necessary for developing high yielding, stress-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the somatic embryogenesis potential of the high-yielding soybean genotype MAUS-158. An efficient protocol for In vitro somatic embryogenesis was developed using immature cotyledons as an explant of MAUS-158 genotype of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr). Somatic embryos were induced directly from immature cotyledons on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D (2.5,3.0,3.5,4.0,4.5,5.0 mg/L) and BAP (1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0,3.5 mg/L). Initially fast-growing greenish callus lines containing somatic embryos were established on initiation medium. Further embryo development and maturation was achieved on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D (2.5,3.0,3.5,4.0,4.5,5.0 mg/L) and BAP (1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0,3.5 mg/L). The MS Medium supplemented with 4.5 mg/l 2, 4-D and 3.0 mg/l BAP was found the best treatment for somatic embryogenesis with 91.66% response and mean value of 7.33±0.882. The well developed and mature embryos were transferred to the shoot initiation medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (2.5,3.0,3.5,4.0,4.5,5.0 mg/L) and 2,4-D (1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0,3.5 mg/L). The highest numbers of shoots were induced in medium containing 3.5 mg/l BAP and 2.0 mg/l 2, 4-D with 75% of shoot initiation and Mean 6.00±0.577. The somatic embryogenesis results obtained in the present investigation will be utilized for developing faster and reliable In vitro regeneration protocol in soybean.