The Use of Maleic Hydrazide for Effective Hybridization of Setaria viridis
Fig 3
(A, B) A dehuller was used to remove the seed coats of mature seeds. S. viridis seeds have two layers of seed coats, (C) outer seed coat and (D) inner seed coat. (E) Seeds after removal of both the seed coats look translucent white. (F) The dehulled seeds were washed with 70% ethanol and then with distilled water and were sterilized by incubating in a solution of 50% sodium hypochlorite containing 1 drop of Tween 20 (~2%) for 30 min. (G) The sterilized seeds were dried by blotting on filter paper. (H, I) The seeds were plated in MS medium with the embryo side facing upward. (J) All seeds germinated well in MS medium producing good root and shoot. (K) The seedlings after 10 days of plating were transplanted to the pots with soil and taken special care. (L) Immature panicles 10 to 12 days after pollination were selected for germination in MS medium. (M) Filled spikelets were chosen. (N) Selected spikelets were sterilized in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution with one drop of Tween 20 (~2%). (O) Immature embryos were dissected using sterilized scalpel and forceps, and (P) plated in MS medium. (Q) The immature embryos emerged into a seedling after 18 hrs of incubation in medium. (R) Small seedlings with well developed roots and shoots (10 to 14 days old after plating). (S) Seedlings were transplanted into pots with fine soil and covered with a translucent white cup for 2 days to allow the seedlings to adapt to the soil condition. (T) Seedlings from immature embryos could establish well in soil and (U) grew normally to maturity.