Abstract

Sarawak Biris rice is a strong aromatic rice variety which can thrive well in rice fields prone to flood, drought and other soil constraints. Tissue culture of Biris rice is important in producing planting materials and conducting genetic improvement work. The present study was conducted to induce callus from Biris rice seed and assess its regeneration ability. Dehusked mature seeds were used as starting materials for callus induction. Sterilized seeds were cultured onto Murashige and Skoog medium containing various concentrations of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D). The optimum 2, 4-D concentration for callus induction was 2.0 mg/L with a frequency as high as 97%. The calli produced were of desired features (creamy in colour, globular) and relatively bigger in size as compared to other treatments. The calli produced were further tested with plant growth regulator, naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in combination with kinetin (Kn) for plant regeneration ability. All uncontaminated calli were found to regenerate. Up to nine shoots were induced by a callus treated with 0.5 mg/L NAA in combination with 1.0 mg/L Kn. The present study should be noted as the first attempt to induce callus and regenerate plants from seeds of Biris rice.

Key words: Biris rice, Sarawak, callus induction, plant regeneration.