Abstract: Mature embryos or inflorescences of 113 genotypes of millet(Setaria italica L.) were screened for callus initiation, in which 89% of genotypes produced compact calli. In the preliminary experiment, it was found that the compact calli derived from mature embryo or inflorescence culture could not be directly used for protoplast isolation and culture. By altering the medium composition, the vigorous loose calli were selected from compact calli of the cultivar Jigu No 11 and were successfully used for protoplast isolation and culture which resulted in a high frequency of cell division (33.5% at day 14) . Since protoplast-derived calli were loose in appearence which could not differentiate, the medium composition was again altered by which the compact calli were selected from loose calli and 129 plantlets regenerated. The regenerated plants were transplanted into experimental plot. Among them 101 plants grew to maturity.

Key words: Millet (Setaria italica L. ), Protoplast culture, Regenerationplant