An efficient plant regeneration through embryogenic callus formation and direct somatic embryogenesis via immature embryo culture in Ipomoea purpurea and I. tricolor

Abstract

We established an efficient plant regeneration system to form embryogenic calli in common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) and blue morning glory (I. tricolor). Immature embryos of both morning glories cultured on media containing 1 mg l⁻¹ 4-fluorophenoxyacetic acid (4FA) and 6% sucrose formed many embryogenic calli. The frequency of embryogenic callus formation was highest in I. purpurea strain Q74 (42.5%) and in I. tricolor cultivar ‘Flying Saucers’ (36.7%). Embryogenic callus formation differed with the genotypes in both morning glories. Numerous somatic embryos were formed from the embryogenic calli when the calli were transferred onto plant growth regulator-free medium.