Increasing human population and food demands necessitate the development of biotechnological strategies for improved crop production. Plant tissue culture is a crucial step for wheat genetic transformation. Callus induction and regeneration of 3 local wheat cultivars; Faisalabad 2008, Galaxy and Zincol monitored: with different concentrations of 2, 4-D, coconut water, and BAP. The mature seed embryo was an explant source. All the cultivars showed maximum callus induction at 3 mgL^-1 of 2, 4-D; this was further enhanced by 20% coconut water. The highest callus induction was 84.6% for Faisalabad 2008, 74.6% for Galaxy, and 63.3% for Zincol. Regeneration frequency also varied significantly with coconut water. The highest regeneration was with 1.5 mgL^-1 BAP, 10% coconut water for Faisalabad 2008 (81.6%), and the least in Zincol (68.3%). Faisalabad 2008 was found most responsive among three wheat cultivars for callus induction, proliferation, and regeneration. Coconut water was found efficient and vital for in vitro wheat regeneration. Chlorophyll mutants were also observed; collected to study the genetic variability produced due to media effect. Plants were transferred to in-vivo conditions and the number of plants obtained by each variety was recorded.

Keywords: Triticum aestivum, callus induction, regeneration, coconut water, 2, 4 D

Abbreviations: Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA); 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D); 6-Benzyl aminopurine (BAP); Murashige and Skoog (MS); Coconut water (CW).