Rice protoplasts isolated directly from mature-embryo-derived calli

Mature-embryo-derived calli of japonica rice (Oryza sativa L) Taipei 309 were used for replicated protoplast isolation experiments. Six out of nine callus lines produced protoplasts with satisfactory yield of 5.20×106–8.96×106 protoplasts/g FW (fresh weight). The remaining three callus lines initiated from seeds of cryopreserved-callus-derived plants had rooty calli, resulting in low yield of protoplasts and a large number of isolated banana-shape intact cells. Viability of protoplasts ranged 87.46%–94.15%. The average size of protoplasts was 207.49–379.04 μm2 in different callus lines. Comparitive experiments were also carried out using both calli and suspension culture cells for protoplas…