Development of In vitro Tetraploid Plants of Hevea brasiliensis

Abstract

Increase in global consumption of natural rubber necessitates crop improvement of Hevea aimed at increased productivity. As conventional breeding of Hevea is very elaborate and time consuming. Hence in the present study development of tetraploids through chromosome doubling of diploid callus obtained from cultured immature inflorescence of Hevea using colchicines were attempted. Chromosome doubling of the diploid callus occurred when treated with 1.25 µM colchicine for 3 days. In higher concentrations as well as at longer exposure periods, the callus texture and viability were affected. 48 % embryo induction and a maturation frequency of 45 % were obtained. Embryo germination and plant regeneration with a germination frequency (30 %) and a regeneration frequency (20 %) were obtained. Cytological and flow cytometric analyses confirmed the tetraploid nature of the colchicines treated callus. In vitro tetraploid plant developed through these in vitro techniques can be further used in Hevea brasiliensis breeding.