<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> bud regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus tinctorius</Emphasis> and wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus</Emphasis> species from leaf explants and axillary buds

The organogenic competence of leaf explants of eleven Carthamus species including C. tinctorius on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) + α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) + NAA was investigated. Highly prolific adventitious shoot regeneration was observed in C. tinctorius and C. arborescens on both growth regulator combinations and the shoot regeneration frequency was higher on medium supplemented with TDZ + NAA. Nodal culture of nine Carthamus species on media supplemented with BA and kinetin (KIN) individually revealed the superiority of media supplemented with BA over that of KIN in facilitating a higher shoot proliferation index. Proliferating shoots from axillary buds and leaf explants were transferred to medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm⁻³ KIN or 0.5 mg dm⁻³ BA for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm⁻³ each of indole-butyric acid (IBA) and phloroglucinol. The plantlets thus obtained were hardened and transferred to soil.     

Direct shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration in safflower

Summary  Adventitious shoot buds were induced directly on the adaxial surface of the cotyledons of eight safflower cultivars after 14 d of culture initiation on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with various levels of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Maximum shoot organogenesis of 54.4% with 10.2 shoots per responding cotyledon was obtained with 8.87 μM BA in the cv. S-144. Regenerated shoots were classified into three groups on the basis of their morphological features and were found to be correlated with the levels of BA. The highest number of normal shoots was obtained from 2.2 μM BA treatment. The regenerated shoots of group I (normal shoots) were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 5.3 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid, 3% sucrose and 0.8% bacto-agar. Rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to soil and appeared morphologically normal. Histological studies revealed that shoot buds originated adventitiously from subepidermal cells.     

An efficient plant regeneration system for Mucuna pruriens L. (DC.) using cotyledonary node explants

Summary The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient micropropagation system for Mucuna pruriens, an important medicinal plant in India. A range of cytokinins was investigated for multiple shoot regeneration with cotyledonary node explants from 7-d-old aseptic seedlings. Of all the cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (KIN) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2-iP) tested in Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), BA was the most effective and 5.0 μM was found to be optimum for inducing maximum shoots. Medium types, medium strength and pH were also investigated for induction and proliferation of shoots. The highest efficiency of shoot proliferation was observed in 5.0 μM BA and 0.5 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in half-strength MS medium at pH 5.8. The best condition for rooting was half-strength MS medium solidified with agar and with 2.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). After rooting, the plantlets were transferred to plastic pots filled with sterile soilrite where 90% grew and all exhibited normal development.     

Adventitious shoot regeneration from ovaries of Hosta ‘Golden Scepter’

Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability ofHosta Golden Scepter (GS) ovary explants to generate adventitious shootsin vitro. Ovaries were transversely cut into halves and transferred to petri dishes containingHosta initiation medium supplemented with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 2.5 μM and N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) at 10 μM. GS produced adventitious shoots from the ovary base via organogenesis. The number of adventitious shoots regenerated from callus increased linearly with repeated subculturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 μM NAA and 10 μM BA. The number of multiple shoots developing from callus (15.8), shoot tip (8.4), leaf (6.7), and root (4.3) occurred on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM NAA and 20–30 μM BA. There were significant differences in the number of shoots regenerated from shoot tips and callus on MS medium with 50 and 100 mgmyo-inositol per l. Similarly, there were significant differences in the number of axillary shoots and adventitious shoots produced with 20 g/l sucrose treatment.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clitoria ternatea</Emphasis> Linn. (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fabaceae</Emphasis>)— An important medicinal plant

Summary An efficient protocol was established for in vitro shoot multiplication from nodal explants of Clitoria ternatea on semisolid Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 8.9μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Inclusion of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in the culture medium along with BA promoted higher rates of shoot multiplication than BA alone. The rate of shoot multiplication was maximum (5.21) after 4 wk of culture on MS basal medium supplemented with 8.9μM BA and 1.34μM NAA. The elongated shoots rooted within 7–8d in half-strength MS basal salts supplemented with 1.34μM NAA and 2% (w/v) sucrose. About 85% of the rooted plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse.     

Direct shoot regeneration from leaf explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosa damascena</Emphasis> Mill.

Summary A protocol for in vitro propagation using direct induction of shoot buds from leaf explants of in vitro-raised shoots of Rosa damascena var. Jwala is reported. The present study is the first report on direct shoot regeneration in scented roses. Elite plants raised from nodal explants and maintained for over 2yr in vitro on a static liquid shoot multiplication Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5.0 μM benzyladenine (BA) and 3% sucrose were used. Petioles from fully developed young leaves, obtained after 4 wk of pruning of old shoots, were found to be ideal for regeneration of shoots. Initially the explants were cultured in an induction medium [half-strength MS+3% sucrose+6.8μM thidiazuron+0.27 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+17.7 μM AgNO₃] and subsequently transferred to the regeneration medium (MS+2.25 μM BA+0.054 μM NAA) after 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35d. The highest shoot regeneration response (69%) was recorded when shoots were kept in the induction medium for 21 d and later transferred to regeneration medium. Histological studies revealed direct formation of shoot buds without the intervening callus phase. In vitro rooting of micro-shoots was accomplished within 2wk on half-strength MS liquid medium supplemented with 10.0 μM IBA and 3% sucrose for 1 wk in the dark and later transferred to hormone-free medium and kept in the light. Plantlets, remaining in the latter medium for 5–6 wk when transferred to soil, showed 90% survival.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scabiosa caucasica</Emphasis> Bieb. Cv. Caucasica blue

Summary Micropropagation of Scabiosa caucasica cv. Caucasica Blue was achieved by culturing, separating axillary and adventitious shoots, or node sectioning on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA). The highest frequency of adventitious shoots regenerated from nodal or internodal explants and leaf blade (with or without petiole) appeared to occur on MS medium with 4.4 and 18 μM BA, respectively. Addition of 0.19 or 1.9 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid to the BA-containing medium promoted callus formation and reduced shoot organogenesis. During micropropagation, shoot nodal explants derived from in vitro shoots cultured on MS medium supplemented with 4.4 μM BA yielded 8.9 shoots per explant within 40 d after culture initiation.     

In vitro plant regeneration from seedling explants of Stereospermum personatum D.C.: a medicinal tree

Padar (Stereospermum personatum, family Bignoniaceae) is a well-known medicinal tree. Its complete regeneration occurred through shoot bud culture in vitro. The seeds germinated sequentially on plastic trays and polyethylene bags for 21 days served as explants source. Nodal segments from the seedlings were established on MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BA, in which 86.6% nodes showed shoot bud elongation. Then, nodal segments from the developed shoots were cultured on MS medium with several BA concentrations; best shoot multiplication was obtained with 0.44 μM BA. In a second experiment where PVP was added to proliferation medium, nodal segments from developed shoots produced maximum 2.78 shoots per node. The nodal segments showed shoot multiplication up to seventh subculture on. Finally, shoots were rooted on MS medium with 2.46 μM IBA. The plants transferred to net pots containing coco-peat were acclimatized in green house, where more than 80% plants survived and grew normally.     

In vitro propagation of limonium wrightii (Hance) Ktze. (Plumbaginaceae), an ethnomedicinal plant, from shoot-tip, leaf- and inflorescence-node explants

Summary Rapid in vitro propagation of Limonium wrightii (Hance) Ktze. (Plumbaginaceae), an endangered medicinal plant, was achieved by culturing the shoot-tip (primary and lateral), leaf- and influorescence-node explants. MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with 8.87 μMN⁶-benyladenine (BA) and 1.07 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) supported induction of adventitious shoots from the shoot-tip, inflorescence-node and middle and basal parts of leaf explants after 60 d of culture. Adventitious shoots were multiplied by subculturing on MS medium supplemented with BA (2,21–17.75 μM) in combination with NAA (1.07 μM). The percentage of explants forming shoots and the average number of adventitious shoot buds produced per explant were stimulated by increasing the strength (1/4x, 1/2x, 1x, 2x) of the MS medium. Shoots were rooted on MS basal medium with 4.92 μM indole-3-butyric acid. Plantlets with a morphologically normal appearance produced from adventitious shoots were transferred to soil and acclimated in the growth chamber for 1 mo.     

Development of a shoot multiplication system for hop (Humulus lupulus L.)

Summary Nodal explants from hop were exposed to plant growth regulators to determine suitable media for initiation from axillary buds and subsequent micropropagation. Efficient culture establishment (96.6% of explants) was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (modified to contain 1 mg l⁻¹ thiamine hydrochloride) supplemented with 0.57 μM indoleacetic acid (IAA) and 2.22 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Subsequent transfer of explants to treatments containing an auxin ([1-naphthaleneacetic acid], NAA or IAA) and BA, 6-[γ,γ-dimethylallylamino]purine (2iP), kinetin (KIN) or thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thidiazol-5-ylurea [TDZ]) resulted in significantly different amounts of multiplication. Optimal TDZ-supplemented media elicited a greater than threefold increase in the number of shoots and nodes generated per explant compared to optimal media containing BA, 2iP and KIN. Shoots were successfully rooted using half-strength MS supplemented with 5.71 μM IAA and 4.9 μM indolebutyric acid (IBA), and regenerated plants were successfully transferred to soi. An overall micropropagation schedule, which can be implemented into hop commercialization programs, includes: (i) establishment in MS with 0.57 μM IAA and 2.22 μM BA; (ii) multiplication in MS with 0.57 μM IAA and 2.27 μM TDZ; (iii) elongation in MS; and (iv) rooting in half-strength MS with 5.71 μM IAA and 4.9 μM IBA.     

Overcoming phenolic accumulation during callus induction and in vitro organogenesis in water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov)

Summary Procedures for callus induction and subsequent organogenesis in the aquatic plant, water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov), were established. Phenolics exuded from explants at the callus-induction stage adversely affect callus growth. For cotyledonary node-derived callus cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (full, half or quarter strength) containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alone or in combination with benzyladenine (BA), the accumulation of phenolics was reduced and callus induction increased by the addition of 10.8 μM phloroglucinol (PG) to the medium. Ascorbic acid was also effective in reducing phenolic accumulation, but less effective for callus induction than PG. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.7 μM 2,4-D, 108.0 μM casein hydrolyzate, and 10.8 μM PG supported maximum callus induction. Plant organogenesis was increased by addition of vitamins (0.27 μM biotin and 2.7 μM folic acid) to half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.27 μM BA. Many shoots developed from the regenerated nodal shoot explants in liquid half-strength MS salts medium supplemented with 1.08 μM BA and 0.27 μM naphthaleneacetic acid. Individual shoots were excised and cultured in liquid half-strength MS medium supplemented with 5.4 μM IBA and rooted plantlets (108) were transferred and acclimatized in plastic pots. After 3 wk, the plantlets were transplanted in a water chestnut field and the survival rate was 100%.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zingiber petiolatum</Emphasis> (Holttum)

Summary We describe an in vitro propagation protocol for Zingiber petiolatum (Holttum), I. Theilade, a rare species from the southern part of Thailand. Fruits were surface-sterilized and seeds germinated on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) medium supplemented with 3% sucrose. Three-month-old seedlings were used as initial plant material for in vitro propagation. Terminal buds of the plants were inoculated on MS medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BA; 2.2–35.5 μM) alone or in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 μM). Eight weeks after inoculation, the cultures were transferred to MS medium without plant growth regulators for 4wk. The cultures transferred from MS medium with 17.8 μM BA revealed the highest shoot induction rate of 6.1±0.7 shoots per explant. Rooting was spontaneously achieved in MS medium without plant growth regulators. Rooted plants were successfully transplanted to soil.     

Liquid culture for efficient micropropagation of Wasabia Japonica (MIQ.) matsumura

Summary An efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of the valuable medicinal plant, Wasabia japonica (Miq.) Matsumura is described through shoot tip proliferation and direct regeneration. Multiple shoots were induced from shoort tips cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) semi-solid medium containing various concentrations (0.5–50 μM) of N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron, kinetin, and zeatin. A comparison was made on shoot multiplication between semi-solid and liquid culture media. Well-developed shoots were obtained using full-strength MS semi-solid medium containing 5.0 μM BA. However, the greatest shoot proliferation was achieved on either full- or half-strength MS liquid media supplemented with 5.0 μM BA for 4 wk (15.3±0.9 and 15.0±0.7 shoots per explant, respectively), and on half-strength MS liquid medium for 6 wk (25.8±1.3 shoots per explant) in culture. In contrast, the maximum number of shoots per explant on full-strength MS semi-solid medium was achieved with either 5.0 μM BA (10.4±0.6 shoots per explant) or 10.0 μM kinetin (10.9±0.8 shoots per explant). Fresh weight of explants and length of shoots derived from full-strength MS liquid medium (1055±77 mg and 34.2±1.0 mm, respectively) were significantly higher than those derived from full-strength MS semisolid medium (437.6±17.3 mg and 15.4±0.7 mm, respectively). Quarter-strength MS liquid medium had no significant difference in shoot proliferation when compared to quarter-strength MS semi-solid medium. Elongated shoots were separated and rooted on half-strength MS semi-solid media fortified with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 μM. Root formation was greatest with IBA when compared with IAA and NAA. One hundred percent of shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium with 5.0 μM IBA, while vigorous roots were obtained with 10.0 μM IBA. Micropropagated plantlets were successfully established in soil with 95% survival rate after heardening.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of northern red oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus rubra</Emphasis> L.)

In vitro propagation of northern red oak (Quercus rubra) shoots was successful from cotyledonary node explants excised from 8-wk-old in vitro grown seedlings. Initially, four shoots per explant were obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.4 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 0.45 μM thidiazuron (TDZ), and 500 mg l⁻¹ casein hydrolysate (CH) with a regeneration frequency of 64.7% after 3 wk. Subculturing explants (after harvesting shoots) to fresh treatment medium significantly increased shoot bud regeneration (16.6 buds per explant), but the buds failed to develop into shoots. A higher percentage (73.3%) of the explants regenerated four shoots per explant on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 4.4 μM BA, 0.29 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃), and 500 mg l⁻¹ CH after 3 wk. Explants subcultured to fresh treatment medium after harvesting shoots significantly increased shoot regeneration (16 shoots per explant). Shoot elongation was achieved (4 cm) when shoots were excised and cultured on WPM supplemented with 0.44 μM BA and 0.29 μM GA₃. In vitro regenerated shoots were rooted on WPM supplemented with 4.9 μM indole-3-butyric acid. A higher percentage regeneration response and shoot numbers per explant were recorded on WPM supplemented with BA and GA₃, than on MS medium containing BA and TDZ. Lower concentrations of BA and GA₃ were required for shoot elongation and prevention of shoot tip necrosis. Each cotyledonary node yielded approximately 20 shoots within 12 wk. Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node explants of a multipurpose leguminous tree <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarpus marsupium</Emphasis> Roxb.

Summary A protocol has been developed for in vitro plant regeneration from cotyledonary nodes of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Multiple shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes derived from 20-d-old axenic seedlings grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.22–13.32 μM benzyladenine (BA) or 2.32–13.93 μM kinetin alone or in combination with 0.26 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest frequency of responding explants (85%) and maximum number of shoots per explant (9.5) were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BA and 0.26 μM NAA after 15 wk of culture. A proliferating shoot culture was established by repeatedly subculturing the orginal cotyledonary nodal explant on fresh medium after each harvest of the newly formed shoots. Nearly 30% of the shoots formed roots after being transferred to half-strength MS medium containing 9.84 μM indole-3-butyric acid after 25 d of culture. Fifty percent of shoots were also directly rooted as microcuttings on peat moss, soil, and compost mixture (1∶1∶1). About 52% plantlets rooted under ex vitro conditions were successfully acclimatized and established in pots.     

adventitious shoot regeneration from petiole explants of Heracleum candicans wall

Summary A method for adventitious shoot induction from petiole explants of Heracleum candicans is reported. Shoot buds were induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 4.4μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 1.1 μM 2,4-dichlorophen-oxyacetic acid (2,4-D). A wound response in the presence of BA and 2,4-D at the time of culture was necessary for inducing shoot buds. The shoot bud regeneration was significantly influenced by size, type and orientation of explants on the culture medium. These shoot buds developed into 4–5 cm shoots upon transfer to a medium containing 1.1μM BA and 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The regenerated shoots formed rooted plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 4.9 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). About 15 plants were established in the field for further evaluation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node explants of a multipurpose leguminous tree, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarpus marsupium</Emphasis> roxb

Summary A protocol has been developed for in vitro plant regeneration from cotyledonary nodes of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Multiple shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes derived from 20-d-old axenic seedlings grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.22–13.32 μM benzyladenine (BA) or 2.32–13.93 μM kinetin alone or in combination with 0.26 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest frequency for shoot regeneration (85%) and maximum number of shoots per explant (9.5) were obtained on the medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BA and 0.26 μM NAA after 15 wk of culture. A proliferating shoot culture was established by repeatedly subculturing the original cotyledonary nodal explant on fresh medium after each harvest of the newly formed shoots. Nearly 30% of the shoots formed roots after being transferred to half-strength MS medium containing 9.84 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) after 25 d of culture. Fifty percent of shoots were also directly rooted as microtuttings on a peat moss, soil, and compost mixture (1∶1∶1). About 52% of plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in pots.     

In vitro propagation of pummelo (Citrus grandis L. osbeck)

Summary Several experiments were carried out to develop protocols for the in vitro propagation of pummelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) using shoot-tip explants from seedlings. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ), singly or in combination with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), was used to determine the rate of shoot proliferation. The response of explants to all concentrations of TDZ was very poor. After 6 wk culture, the most adventitious shoots per explant (average 5.2) were obtained on medium supplemented with 1.8 μM BA. NAA with cytokinin in the medium did not improve the rate of shoot multiplication significantly. Addition of 5.8 μM gibberellic acid in shoot-proliferation medium during the second subculture improved shoot elongation significantly. Shoot multiplication increased 3.5-fold in each successive subculture. NAA was superior to indolebutyric acid for in vitro root induction. Over 75% of the shoots developed roots when transferred to half-strength MS medium with 1.3, 2.7, or 5.4 μM NAA.     

Establishment of Camptotheca acuminata regeneration from leaf explants

Plantlet regeneration through shoot formation from young leaf explant-derived callus of Camptotheca acuminata is described. Calli were obtained by placing leaf explants on Woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Callus induction was observed in all media evaluated. On the shoot induction medium, the callus induced on the WPM medium containing 19.8 μM BA and 5.8 μM NAA was the most effective, providing high shoot regeneration frequency (70.3 %) as well as the highest number of shoots (11.2 shoots explant⁻¹). The good rooting percentage and root quality (98 %, 5.9 roots shoot⁻¹) were achieved on WPM medium supplemented with 9.6 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). 96 % of the in vitro rooted plantlets with well developed shoots and roots survived transfer to soil.     

Efficient plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Holarrhena antidysenterica</Emphasis> Wall., from shoot segment-derived callus

Summary A procedure has been outlined for plant regeneration of an important medicinal shrub, Holarrhena antidysenterica, through shoot segment-derived callus. Explants used for callus induction were shoot segments derived from 14-d-old axenic plants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 15 μM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA). A white friable type of callus was obtained in 4.52 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2.32 μM kinetin which did not have the potentiality to regenerate. High-frequency shoot differentiation was achieved on transferring the friable callus to MS medium supplemented with 17.8 μM BA and 8.0 μM naphthaleneacetic acid. The highest percentage of calluses forming shoots (65.06±2.26) was achieved in this medium. The organogenetic potential of the regenerating callus was influenced by the age of the culture. Rooting was achieved on the shoots using MS medium with 25 μM indolebutyric acid. The plantlets were acclimatized and established in soil. The regenerated plants were morphologically uniform and exhibited similar growth characteristics and vegetative morphology to the donor plants.