Somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures of petal explants of rose cv arizona is reported here. The calli from petals initiated on dicamba containing medium were friable and gave rise to embryos after several subcultures while those obtained from other explants did not show embryogenesis. Abscisic acid and phloroglucinol were necessary during maturation and plant development, respectively. The individual embryos grew into true-to-type plants.

Many researchers regard somatic embryogenesis as a system of choice for in vitro propagation of superior varieties of crops such as coffee, mango, datepalm, and rose. While there are advantages, commercialization has not been possible so far in coffee, mango, and rose. The work highlights some reasons for this and feasible alternatives. We have established somatic embryogenesis in four elite Indian arabica coffee genotypes. Plantlets (3500) of all the four varieties are now being field-evaluated. The cost of producing these propagules is 15 times the seedling cost at present. A major constraint is the long time (6 months) needed to reach the five-leaf stage in vitro prior to release for acclimatization. This period can be reduced to 2 months using exvitro development after the two leaf stage. There are many reports of somatic embryogenesis in mango. Results on establishing free-living plantlets have not been encouraging.We found a number of abnormalities in the shape of the somatic embryos in cv. Rumani. However, except for the “rod”-shaped ones (that lacked cotyledonary expansion), all embryos germinated satisfactorily (75% rooting).We have encouraging results in reducing the time required to generate suitable plantlets for field acclimatization and in standardizing the procedures for grafting. Our laboratory has developed methods for ex vitro germination of mature embryos in datepalm,which yield more numbers of free-living plantlets (50%–60%) in only 3 months with an average of four leaves per plant. This compared favorably with in vitro germination that takes 6 months and produces plantlets with one or two leaves only. A novel protocol for obtaining somatic embryogenesis in rose from petal derived calli was developed by us (Murali et al., 1996). The number of embryos induced was too low for commercial application. [Murali et al., 1996. Euphytica 91:271–275].

Aims: To assess genetic variability for vegetative and reproductive traits in different seasons. Study Design: Field experimental design was used. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in different seasons during 2019-20 at Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore. Methodology: The present study comprised of Seventy one mulberry accessions. Results: The mean performance of leaf moisture content (64.41 & 55.42%) and leaf yield (1268.71 & 872.21g) in rainy and winter season, respectively. There are large differences were observed between the minimum and maximum range leaf moisture content was varied from 45.16 to 78.51 per cent and leaf yield was varied from 235.90 to 29008.89 during rainy season. In winter season the range of leaf moisture content was varied from 15.28 to 72.35 per cent and leaf yield was varied from 94.43 to 2975.00 g. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV %) was found to be higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV %) for all the characters denoting variability among genotypes in both the seasons. Estimates of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations were high for leaf yield per plant (98.63, 98.49%) and (89.69, 89.62%) in rainy and winter season, respectively. Maximum heritability was observed for leaf yield per plant (99.71 %), (99.85 %) in rainy and winter season, respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean in respect of number of days for first flower initiation, plant height and single leaf area at 45th, 60th, and 75th DAP, number of branches, leaf moisture content and leaf yield per plant was observed in rainy and winter seasons.