Anther culture response in indica rice and variations in major agronomic characters among the androclones of a scented cultivar, Karnal local

Effect of organic adjuvants, synthetic plant hormones and diverse carbon sources in influencing anther culture response in five indica rice genotypes (IR 72, Mansarovar, Tarori Basmati, Pusa Basmati and Karnal local 95) were assessed. Androgenic callus induction as well as green plantlet regeneration was more when callus was induced on N6 fortified with 100 mg L-1 YE. However, coconut water (5 and 10% concentrations from Pink Dwarf variety) encouraged green plantlet regeneration only in Karnal local 95. High callus induction was observed with synthetic hormones in comparison to the control set. However, green plantlet regeneration was observed when callus induction medium (CIM) was supplemented with 2, 4-D and IBA in Tarori Basmati and Karnal local 95. Among the varieties Pusa Basmati and Karnal local 95 showed better callus inductions on N6 supplemented with 6% maltose. Maximum callus induction was observed in Pusa Basmati and Karnal local 95 when 6% sucrose or maltose were used as carbon source. Total plantlet regeneration was cent percent in Tarori Basmati when CIM was supplemented with maltose (6%). Maximum green plants were obtained when CIM was added with maltose (6%) for Karnal local 95. Plantlet regeneration in the present study was found to be very low. Androgenic plantlets derived from the scented indica rice, Karnal local 95, were evaluated under field condition to assess variability among segregating A2 generation. Overall mean values in respect of some major agronomic characters plant height, panicle length, number of filled grains per panicle, spikelet sterility (%) and grain yield per plant were reduced except number of panicles per plant. High CV was observed for filled grains per panicle, grains yield per plant and number of panicles per plant suggesting the existence of high variation among the androclones for those characters. Positive selection deems to be improvising those characters. The frequency distribution for number of panicles per plant and panicle length varied largely among the androclones in both direction of the parental mean. Whereas, all the androclones were found to be shorter than the parent and low yielder too. This study elucidates that the genetic modulation through exploitation of androclonal variation is a feasible proposition in scented indica rice.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (3), pp. 235-240, 200