Performance of plants regenerated through somatic embryogenesis in finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.)

Abstract

Regenerated plants (R,) from callus derived from seeds and their progenies (R2) of three cultivars and R3 progeny of one cultivar of finger millet {Eleusine coracana Gaertn.) were evaluated for different agronomic characters. All the R, plants were shorter than the control while R2 plants were taller. Number of tillers showed an increase in R,, R2 and R3 generations. In two out of three cultivars in R2 generation, the regenerants flowered earlier compared to control. Another important trait exhibited by R,, R2 and R3 plants was the branching of tillers, which was absent in the control. The range of variation was less for branches / spike, spike length, and 1000 seed weight, whereas grain yield / plant showed an extensive variation when compared with the control.