Effect of Desiccation and Chilling Treatment on Somatic Embryo Development and Germination in Rough Lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush)

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of desiccation and chilling treatments on somatic embryogenesis of rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.). Styles were cultured on seven culture media (MS I-MS VII) containing Benzylaminopurine (BAP), Kinetin (KN) and Malt Extract for cell proliferation and somatic embryo development. Cell proliferation was maximum on MS IV media but maximum cultures showing somatic embryogenesis (52.08 %) was observed on MS VII media. Embryogenic callus proliferated on MS VII media was subjected to desiccation and chilling treatment for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Embryogenic callus desiccated for 24 and 48 hours in sterile petriplates showed 58.33 and 56.94 % somatic embryogenesis respectively as compared to undesiccated callus (51.98%). Average number of cotyledonary embryos (6.80/culture) in embryogenic cultures from desiccated callus (48 hrs) was more as compared to untreated callus (2.26/culture). There was significantly less number of abnormal embryos (0.60-0.53/culture) in desiccated callus for 48, 72 and 96 hours as compared to untreated callus (7.20/culture). Chilling treatment also improves the average number of cotyledonary embryos and reduces the abnormal development of embryos. Among all the treatments desiccation of embryogenic callus for 48 hrs proved beneficial for improvement of somatic embryo development and germination.