Title: Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Roots of Punica granatum L.
Abstract: Somatic embryogenesis from apical meristem, cell elongation zone, and cell differentiation zone of roots of Punica granatum L. var. Ganesh was obtained. The basal medium used was Gamborg's B5. 2, 4-D induced white globular callus in root tip explants, which on further subculture to medium containing 0.5 mg/L BAP, produced somatic embryos from the outer surface of the callus. Direct somatic embryogenesis occurred from all the three zones of the root in presence of 2 mg/L kinetin. BAP induced embryogenic callus in elongation and cell differentiation zone segments of the roots, which, on further subculture onto the same medium, produced somatic embryos. NAA caused rhizogenesis in all the three root segments. Differentiation of somatic embryos into plantlets took place on B5 medium supplemented with 0.01 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/l BAP + 2 mg/L kinetin.