Callus induction and plant regeneration from embryos in bread wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

Plant regeneration through callus cultures obtained using immature embryos in interspecific/intergeneric and mature embryos in intervarietal crosses has far reaching implication in wheat improvement programmes. This is rather pertinent when wheat breeders are confronted with gene flow barriers or limitations of time and space. The success of plant regeneration through embryo cultures is apparently influenced by culture medium and manipulateable genetic factors which can be controlled and environmental factors which can not be controlled. Fortunately a strong inherent interaction among these factors exists which warrants for defining effective embryo culture protocols for accelerating the pace of wheat improvement programme aimed at enlargement of genetic variability, enhancing gene flow from one genetic background to the other and development of wheat genotypes tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses. This review has provided comprehensive information on plant regeneration through embryo culture and warrants a closer interaction between biotechnologists, plant physiologists, geneticists and wheat breeders.