The study involved two auxins viz., 2,4-D (2,4-Diclorophenoxyacetic acid) and picloram at three different concentrations (1,2, 3 mg/L) in full strength MS media to study their comparative influence on induction of somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos of two gynodioecious varieties of papaya 'CO.7' and 'Red Lady'. In papaya cultivar 'CO.7', 2,4-D at 2 mg/L gave the highest callus induction frequency of 90.93%, whereas comparatively higher concentration of 3 mg/L 2,4-D was found suitable for 'Red Lady' (87.26%). Although there was profuse callus formation, 2 Rajesh et al.; AIR, 21(4): 10-18, 2020; Article no.AIR.55434 11 mg/L 2,4-D recorded comparatively higher frequency of embryogenic calli in 'Red Lady' (51.67%) when compared to 'CO.7' (30.00%). Somatic embryo maturation was achieved upon transfer of embryogenic calli exhibiting globular stage embryos on to maturation medium (MS medium + ABA (Abscisic acid) and BAP (Benzyl amino purine) in different concentrations + glutamine 400 mg/L). In the maturation medium, the combination of 1.5 mg/L ABA and 0.4 mg/L BAP registered better conversion of the globular embryo to cotyledonary embryos than other levels. The frequency of somatic embryo germination was higher in 'Red Lady' (50.00%) as compared to 'CO.7' (31.67%) on half-strength MS medium devoid of growth regulators. Original Research Article

An efficient indirect somatic embryogenesis protocol for Carica papaya var TNAU Papaya CO.8 was developed using immature zygotic embryos as an explant. Two growth regulators namely 2,4-D and picloram each at 1, 2, 3 mg/L were tested for callus induction and the highest callus induction frequency (83.33%) was observed in MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L 2,4-D. However the rate of conversion into somatic embryos was highest (63.33%) on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-D. Maturation of somatic embryos was studied by using MS medium with different concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) and benzyl amino purine (BAP) along with glutamine (400 mg/L). The maturation of globular embryos was observed to be higher in the combination of ABA (1.5 mg/L), BAP (0.4 mg/L) along with glutamine (400 mg/L). Even though regeneration was observed from cotyledonary stage embryos in presence of different growth regulators like BAP,       α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), phloridzin dehydrate kinetin and gibberellic acid, further growth was not observed due to abnormal regenerative structures. Regeneration of cotyledonary stage somatic embryos were highest (77.4%) in half strength MS medium without growth regulators. The well-developed plantlets with shoots and roots were subsequently transferred for hardening.