Abstract

The study aimed to examine three genotypes of sorghum for their response in tissue culture using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with auxins (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)) and cytokinins (Kinetin, 6-benzyle amino purine (BAP)) at different concentrations. The cultures were initiated from different explants (seed, embryo and hypocotyl). The response of explants varied with the genotype. Callus culture were initiated successfully on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l Kinetin from G4 (L58) seedling and embryo explants. G2 (94) hypocotyl explants gave callus on media supplemented with 2,4-D only. G5 (2) explants failed to initiate callus but bulging from the embryo explants was observed on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l Kinetin. The initiated calluses differed morphologically and in their growth rates.

Key words: Sorghum bicolor, callus formation, embryo, Kinetin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D).