In vitro regeneration of selected commercial Tanzanian open pollinated maize varieties

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Date
2012-03Author
Seth, Miccah Songelael
Bedada, Leta Tulu
Mneney, Emmarold E.
Oduor, R.O.
Machuka, Jesse
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Four Tanzanian open pollinated maize varieties namely; Kito, Situka M-1, Staha and TMV-1 were
regenerated in vitro using immature zygotic embryos as ex-plants. Callus induction was achieved using
Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 1, 1.5, 2 or 2.5 mg/l of 2, 4-D. Callus
induction was significantly affected by the genotype of the varieties. Among the varieties tested, Kito,
Situka M-1 and Staha had significantly higher callus induction frequency of 84.4, 92.7 and 88.7%,
respectively compared to TMV-1 (43.3%). Embryogenic callus induction percentage was significantly
influenced by the genotype, 2, 4-D concentrations and their interaction effect implying differential
response of the genotypes to 2, 4-D concentrations. Among the genotypes tested, Kito gave
significantly (p<0.05) the highest embryogenic callus frequency of 69.5%. Great variations were
observed among the genotypes with regard to regeneration frequencies. Staha was comparatively the
most regenerable variety with RF of 32.6% than even Kito which had the highest callus induction and
embryogenic callus formation. MS medium amended with 1 mg/l 2, 4-D was observed to be the optimum
formulation for the induction of embryogenic calli for genotypes tested in this study. Using this
regeneration system Situka M-1, Staha and TMV-1 can now be improved against various production
constraints through genetic engineering.