Effect of copper sulphate on the morphogenetic potential of barley callus induced from immature embryos and its subsequent plant regeneration was investigated in the present study. MSB5 medium with picloram served as the basal medium. Concentration of CuSO4 was modified in the induction, subculture and regeneration medium to examine its effect on different stages of culture. Higher levels of CuSO4 were found to be beneficial. Callus induction, its morphogenic potential, regeneration frequency and average number of regenerated plantlets was influenced by the level of CuSO4 in the medium. Presence of CuSO4 during all the stages of culture was essential for plant regeneration. Plantlets could not be regenerated from callus induced on medium devoid of CuSO4.There was differential requirement of CuSO4 at induction, subculture and regeneration. Almost 3.5 folds increase in the number of regenerants per explant with 100% regeneration frequency was achieved when CuSO4 concentration in both the induction and subculture medium was 1 M and 0.1 M in the regeneration medium.

Cytotoxic effect of heavy metal and copper were found as chromosomal abnormalities like stickiness, laggards, fragments and micronulei. There is a linear correlation between concentration of copper and mitotic index. Chromosomal aberration is also increase with increasing concentration of copper. Copper sulphate showed direct effect on mitotic division. The abnormalities are micronulei, stickiness, fragmentation etc. In present experiment we have studied about mitodepressive changes due to different concentration of copper. Copper sulfate showed potential impact on cell division. Chromosomal stickiness was commonly observed. Total aberration percentage was totally related with concentration of copper sulphate. There is remarkable decrease in mitotic index while increasing concentration of copper sulphate. Normal Aberration like stickiness, fragments micronulei, laggards were observed.