RAPID AND ROBUST in vitro REGENERATION IN WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) USING SORBITOL

Two local wheat cultivars were evaluated for their callus induction and regeneration response on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of sorbitol, (control, 10, 20, 30 g/l). Callus induction and regeneration variabilities were observed among the two tested cultivars. Giza 164 cultivar surpassed Sids 1, where Giza 164 scored 8.08 regenerated shoots/callus, while Sids 1 scored 5.49. Regarding sorbitol concentration, highest regeneration record (9.85) as number of regenerated shoots per callus was obtained at 20 g/l sorbitol, while the lowest (3.03) was recorded at 30 g/1. In both cultivars, plant regeneration was increased gradually by increasing the sorbitol concentration from zero to 20 g/l, whereas at 30 g/l regeneration in both tested cultivars decreased. Establishment of a fast, efficient and reliable in vitro regeneration system is critical step for efficient genetic transformation in wheat. Herein we report that sorbitol addition to callus and regeneration medium enhanced effectively and rapidly regeneration process in wheat cultivars under this study.