Establishment of Embryogenic Potential of Economically Important Bulgarian Alfalfa Cultivars (Medicago Sativa L.)

ABSTRACT

Five Bulgarian alfalfa cultivars (Medicago sativa L.) with valuable economic traits were screened for their regeneration capability via indirect somatic embryogenesis. As explants, leaves and petioles of in vitro grown plants were used. Different media and growth regulators were tested. The screened varieties showed different regeneration capacity. All of them formed friable embryogenic callus on media, containing 2, 4-D for almost equal period of time—45–60 days. Media with ammonium and sulfur ions, 3g/l proline, 1g/l casein hydrolysate, 0,5mg/l BAP+250mg/l casein hydrolysate and MS basal were suitable for development, maturation and conversation of somatic embryos for three of the tested cultivars. Regenerants from Obnova 10, Pleven 6 and Vera cultivars were successfully transferred in green house conditions. Highly regenerable genotype—Obnova 10 was selected and R4 line with superior embryogenic potential was isolated. Low frequency of embryo formation without following conversion into plantlets was observed in cultivars Victoria and Osam.