Effect of 2,4-D on Embryogenic Callus Induction of Malaysian indica Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars MR123 and MR127

The aim of this study is to study the effect of various concentrations of 2,4-D on embryogenic callus induction of indica rice MR123 cultivar and MR127 cultivar using mature seeds. Optimal media for induction of callus of both cultivars was MS basal media supplemented with 30g/L sucrose, 500mg/L glutamine and 500mg/L proline supplemented with 2.5 mg/L 2,4-D. The highest percentage of callus induction was 70% and 76% for MR123 and MR127 respectively. Both cultivars produced an embryogenic callus from scutellum after a week in culture with white-yellowish in color. The viability tested using Evans blue show callus obtained was embryogenic. This simple protocol using staining method could be used for screening embryogenic callus before further experiments can be conducted.