The effect of explants and light conditions on callus induction of srikandi putih maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Abstract Climate changes due to global warming affect the productivity of forage crops such as maize. However, the productivity of maize could be maximized by improving the plant’s adaptation and tolerance through breeding, using tissue culture. This study aims to determine the effect of explant types and light conditions on callus induction of srikandi putih maize. It was conducted at the Laboratory of Forage and Pasture Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Furthermore, it was carried out using a completely randomized design in a factorial pattern. There were two treatment factors namely explant types, which consisted of roots, stems, and leaves, and light conditions consisting of darkness and light. The results showed that callus induction occurred in the stem and root of explants at 60%, but not in the leaves. It also showed that the stem explants produced a higher fresh weight of callus at 239.6 mg compared to the roots which produced 77.6 mg. The dark condition also produced a 49.3% higher amount of callus with fresh weight of 115.1 mg. Meanwhile, the light condition produced 30.7% higher amounts of callus with fresh weight of 96.3 mg. It was concluded that all treatments showed a compact texture of callus, but the use of stem explants in dark conditions was the best treatment.