Genetic stability in rice micropropagation.

An efficient clonal propagation procedure for six rice varieties cultivated in Argentina was developed by using shoot tip cultures, and the genetic stability of the micropropagated plants was verified by isozyme analysis. One week old seedlings obtained on MS medium were sectioned and subcultured on MS medium (0.75% agar) supplemented with different combination and concentrations of cytokinins (BAP and KIN) and auxins (2,4-D and NAA). After four weeks of culture, multiple shoots were obtained. The best response was observed on MS supplemented with BAP 5 mg l(-1). Shoot clumps were multiplied in MS liquid medium containing BAP 5 mg l(-1). Profuse rooting was obtained after transfer to MS medium lacking growth regulators and with sucrose 8% (w/v). Complete plants were successfully transferred to soil and grown to maturity. ADH and EST patterns of micropropagated rice plants showed polymorphisms compared with plants of the original varieties. However, the zymograms of the seed derived progeny of the micropropagated plants were similar to that of the original varieties. These results indicate the maintenance of the genetic stability in the sexual progeny of micropropagated plants.