Journal of Crop Production and Processing

This study was conducted to evaluate the responses of Iranian commercial genotypes of maize (hybrids and their inbred lines) to callus induction and plant regeneration, using mature embryos. Twenty five genotypes comprising of 12 inbred lines, 11 single cross hybrids, 1 double cross hybrid and 1 composite cultivar were used. Mature embryos of the genotypes were plated on MS and N6 media. Callus induction rates were evaluated using relative growth rate of callus (RGR), callus fresh weight (CFW), callus dry weight (CDW) and callus growth rate (CGR).

The results indicated that genotypes highly varied in both callus induction and plant regeneration. IL8 inbred line, SC7 (IL4×IL8) and SC9 (IL6×IL10) hybrids had the highest callus production capacity (based on CFW and CDW), whereas the highest RGR and CGR were obtained for ILl inbred line and SC9 hybrid. The estimated heterosis based on superior parent showed the highest heterosis for CFW, CDW, RGR and CGR in SC9 hybrid. Genotype × medium interactions for CWD, RGR and CGR were significant. For instance, SC9 hybrid on MS medium and IL8 on N6 medium produced the highest CGR. There was a significant difference between the observation periods [8, 12, 16 and 20 days after planting (DAP)], so that CGR was the least at 8 DAP and increased gradually till 16 DAP, but declined afterward. CGR had a range of 0.51 in IL8 inbred line to 0.74 in SC9 hybrid. Comparisons of the genotype for plant regeneration percent indicated that ILl and IL10 inbred lines as well as SC2 and SC4 single cross hybrids had the highest regeneration rates. Considering plant regeneration as a critical and genotypic dependent factor, it can be concluded that ILl and IL10 inbred as well as SC4 (IL4×IL5, ‘single cross 301’), SC2 (IL2×IL3, ‘single cross 704’) and SC7 hybrids are recommended for use in tissue culture-based breeding programs in maize.