Establi shment of embryoni-c cultures and somatic embryogenesis in callus culture of guggul-Commiphora wightii

Somatic embryogenesis in ca ll us cu ltures of COllllllipilora wigilt ii (Arnotl.) Bhandari was achieved. Though the frequency of ex plants prod ucing embryonic culture was low, immature zygotic embryos were the on ly suitable explants to produce embryonic callus after reciprocal transfers on med ia containing 2,4,5-t richlorophenoxy aceti c acid (0. 1 mg 1-1) and ki netin (O. lmg 1"1 ) or devoid of growth regul ators. All other medi a failed to produce embryoni c ca llus. Embryoni c cells were small , densely filled with cytoplasm and isod iametric as compared to non-embryonic cell s, \vhi ch were large, elongated and vacuolated. Maximum growth of embryonic ca llus was recorded on modified MS medium (MS-2 med ium) suppl emented with BA (0.25 mg 1-1) and I13 A (0. 1 mg 1-1). MS-2 sa lts supported hi gher growth of callus as com pared to ti ssues grown on 135 mcd ium conta ining sa me concentra ti ons of plan t growth regulators. Exogenous medium nUlricnts had no effect on somatic embryo deve lopmen t whereas plant growth regulators had lillie effecl. Asynchronously grow ing embryos formed plant lets regularly which were success full y transferred to the fi eld conditions.