In vitro regeneration through organogenesis in Egyptian chickpea

Genetic engineering for improvement of the recalcitrant crop chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was largely restricted by the lack of an efficient regeneration system. In vitro regeneration in two Egyptian chickpea varieties, Giza 531 and Giza 4 was achieved by direct organogenesis. A variety of embryo explants and different types and concentrations of growth regulators were investigated for maximum efficiency of shoot and root regeneration. Embryo axes with the adjacent part of cotyledon proved to be the most promising type of explant for shooting and rooting responses. 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were found to induce the highest percentages of shoot initiation and root formation, respectively. Although the Giza 531 variety produced a better response than the Giza 4 for shoot formation, it displayed lower performance for root induction. It would be rewarding if this optimized regeneration protocol paved the way toward the genetic improvement of the Egyptian chickpea.