In vitro regeneration in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Maize is a versatile cereal crop having the highest genetic potential, production, and productivity. In the past few decades, plant tissue culture and transformation approaches have played an important role in maize improvement via introducing beneficial transgene(s) or modulating the expression of the endogenous gene(s), etc. However, the capability of in vitro regeneration in maize is highly influenced by genotypes, type of explants, media compositions among others. Some genotypes are more amenable to tissue culture producing embryogenic calli, while others are recalcitrant to tissue culture. Genotypic differences in morphogenesis and organogenesis are generally reported that might be possible due to differences in endogenous hormone levels. The in vitro regeneration potential in maize is usually decreased during the channelized path of tissue maturation, therefore embryogenic callus is mostly achieved from immature zygotic embryos. The present article aimed to provide the current state of the art in maize somatic embryogenesis. Further, the article describes the procedure for maize whole plant regeneration from embryogenic callus.