Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the embryogenic callus formation potential of three types of explants in oat (Avena sativa L.) (immature embryo, mature embryo and coleptile segments). Each experiment was conduced with one explant, five cultivars (UPF15, UPF16, UPF18, UPFA20 and OR3) and two induction callus medium (M1 = MS + 2 4-D and M2 = MS + 2 4-D + BAP), being analyzed the frequency of embryogenic calli at 60 days of cultivation, callus fresh weight (mg) at 90 and 120 days and callus growth rate during 30 days period. The influence of genotype on the embryogenic callus frequency was detected only when using the immature embryo explant. The culture medium did not influence the frequency of callus in any of the three tested explants. The mature embryo was not suitable for the induction of oat somatic embryogenesis. The coleoptile and immature embryo explants present a similar embryogenic capacity, producing 24 and 29% of embryogenic calli, respectively. However, the coleoptile can be considered the ideal explant due to its genotypic independence, high embryogenic callus growth rate (328% in 30 days), as well as easy and quick availability.
Avena sativa L.; tissue culture; somatic embryogenesis
