Shoot regeneration in recalcitrant Indica rice through partial desiccation of callus

Indica rice cultivars are recalcitrant to in vitro manipulations, such as shoot regeneration. The present study was undertaken to induce shoot regeneration through partial desiccation of callus induced from mature seeds of PR 121 indica rice cultivar. Callus was exposed to four partial desiccation treatments i.e. 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min. The partially desiccation effect was examined in terms of shoot regeneration percentage upon transfer of the desiccated callus to regeneration media. The non-desiccated callus did not show shoot regeneration, whereas 31.50±0.05 percent regeneration was recorded in callus partially desiccated for 60 min. The partial desiccation is likely to be beneficial for inducing shoot regeneration in recalcitrant indica rice cultivars.