The role of nickel on somatic embryogenesis in Setaria italica L. in vitro

Nickel (0.13, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/l) increased the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis in leaf base and mesocotyl derived calli of Setaria italica. A lower concentration of nickel in the culture media promoted long-term maintenance of embryogenic calli that regenerated into plantlets. The plants obtained from embryogenic calli grown on Ni-containing medium showed tolerance to nickel. The growth of embryogenic callus was the maximum at 1.5 mg/l as compared to a lower or a higher concentration of Ni. Use of nickel may help in the induction of high frequency somatic embryogenesis in Setaria italica. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.