Efficient callus initiation from leaf of mangrove plant,Bruguiera sexangula in amino acid medium: Effect of NaCl on callus initiation

Experimental conditions for efficient callus initiation from mangrove plants were investigated. As a source explant, leaf ofBruguiera sexangula was used. Mangrove plant is one of the most famous woody plants which can grow at the salty area. The initiated callus can be a suitable material for the investigation of salt tolerant mechanisms of mangrove plants. Leaf pieces cultured in an Amino Acid medium supplemented with 2 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2 μMN-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea at 30 C developed calluses. Microscopic observation suggested that the callus was initiated from the tissue in the vascular bundles in the leaf. We also examined the effect of NaCl on callus initiation and short-term culture of the calluses on the leaves. Callus initiation rate decreased with increasing NaCl concentration higher than 100 mM in the culture media. The medium containing 100 mM NaCl produced the largest callus on the leaf, compared with higher or lower concentrations of NaCl.