Phenylacetic acid improves bud elongation and in vitro plant regeneration efficiency in Capsicum annuum L.

 A highly efficient three-stage protocol for the regeneration of chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) from cotyledon explants was developed. This protocol used PAA in both the shoot-bud induction medium and the medium for elongation of the shoot buds. A superior medium for the induction of buds from the cotyledons was MS medium supplemented with BA (5 or 7 mg/l) + PAA (2 mg/l). Buds were elongated during the second stage on medium containing BA (2 or 5 mg/l) + PAA (2 mg/l). On this medium most of the buds elongated, and their number also increased due to the formation of new buds; bud elongation was achieved in 100% of the cultures provided the buds were induced in the primary stage on a medium supplemented with BA+PAA. The shoots that elongated in the second-stage rooted at 100% frequency on a medium supplemented with NAA (1 mg/l). The complete plantlets with well-developed root and shoot systems were transferred to field conditions where they grew to maturity, flowered and fruited normally. While shoot-bud induction from the cultured cotyledons was also observed on media supplemented with BA (5 or 7 mg/l) alone or in combination with IAA (0.2–2 mg/l), buds induced on these media were often distorted, with most not developing into normal shoots in the second-stage subculturing; a rosette of buds was seen in the second stage subculturing. On the other hand, PAA in combination with BA in the primary induction medium and second-stage medium promoted normal development and the elongation of shoot buds. Received: 28 July 1998 / Revision received: 22 December 1998 / Accepted: 19 February 1999     

High copper levels in the medium improves shoot bud differentiation and elongation from the cultured cotyledons of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.

The effect of copper sulphate on differentiation and elongation of shoot buds from cotyledonary explants of Capsicum annuum L. cv X-235 was investigated. Shoot buds were induced on medium supplemented with 22.2 μM BAP and 14.7 μM PAA. Elongation of shoot buds was obtained on MS medium containing 13.3 μM BAP + 0.58 μM GA₃. Both shoot induction and elongation media were supplemented with different levels of CuSO₄ (0–5 μM). The levels of CuSO₄ in the induction as well as elongation medium highly influenced the shoot bud formation and their subsequent elongation. Highest number of shoot buds per explant was obtained when the concentration of CuSO₄ was increased 30 times to the normal MS level. Shoot buds formation frequency i.e., the number of shoots formed per explant was increased two fold as compared to those formed on control. Elongation both in terms of percentage and length of shoots was better than that on control. Healthy elongated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 5.7 μM IAA. Rooted plantlets were transferred to field conditions.     

Direct shoot regeneration from leaf explants of Jatropha curcas in response to thidiazuron and high copper contents in the medium

Leaf explants of Jatropha curcas cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ; 0.90 μM) in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0.98μM) produced adventitious shoot buds directly on the surface of the explants without formation of intervening callus while shoot bud formation was accompanied with callus formation on medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 13.3 μM) and IBA (2.46 μM). TDZ treatment resulted in more than twice higher rate of shoot bud induction than BAP. Shoot buds were multiplied and elongated following repeated transfers to medium containing BAP (2.22 μM) and gibberellic acid (GA₃; 1.44 μM). The effect of copper sulphate on differentiation of shoot buds from leaf segments was also investigated. Both shoot induction and multiplication media were supplemented with different levels of CuSO₄ (0–5 μM). Significant improvement in shoot bud induction was observed when the concentration of CuSO₄ was increased to 10 times the normal MS level. Healthy elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (2.46 μM). Rooted plantlets were transferred to field and survived. Histological analysis revealed direct formation of shoot buds from leaf explants.     

The effect of phenyl acetic acid on shoot bud induction, elongation and rooting of chickpea

A highly efficient protocol for plant regeneration from cotyledonary node of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars ICCV-10 and Annigeri used phenylacetic acid (PAA). The Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1.0 mg dm⁻³ PAA was used for induction of bud formation. Buds were elongated on MS medium supplemented either with only 0.75 mg dm⁻³ gibberellic acid (GA₃) or 0.2 mg dm⁻³ GA₃ + 0.6 mg dm⁻³ PAA. The elongated shoots were then transferred onto rooting medium containing 1 mg dm⁻³ PAA. The frequency of multiple shoot induction and rooting was higher in Annigeri as compared to ICCV-10. The complete plantlets with well-developed roots were transferred to pots containing sterilized soil and sand in the ratio 3:1 where they survived (74 %) and set normal seeds.     

Prolific shoot regeneration from immature embryo explants of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

Summary Immature cotyledons and embryo axes of sainfoin were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to induce adventitious shoot regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration occurred following an initial callus growth on a MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l NAA. Immature embryo axes showed higher regeneration capacity than immature cotyledons, however, shoot elongation was best achieved on immature cotyledons. Regenerated shoots were excised and rooted in half strength MS medium with 1 mg/l indole-butyric acid (IBA) or 1 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were finally transferred to compost.     

Influence of growth regulators on plant regeneration from epicotyl and hypocotyl cultures of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of phytohormones on plant regeneration from epicotyl and hypocotyl explants of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars. Explants cultured on media with auxins and in combination with cytokinin produced high frequency of callus. After four weeks, callus from these cultures was transferred to medium with cytokinin and reduced auxin, shoot buds regenerated from the cultures. A high rate of shoot bud regeneration was observed on medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA. Among the different auxins tested, NAA was found to be most effective, producing the highest frequency of shoot buds per responding cultures. Of the two explants tested, epicotyl was found to be best for high frequency shoot bud regeneration. Multiple shoots arose on MS medium supplemented with BAP or kinetin (1.0–5.0 mg/L) plus IBA (1.0 mg/L), with maximum production occurring at 5.0 mg/L. The elongated shoots developed rootsin vitro upon transfer to MS medium supplemented with NAA or IBA (0.5–2.0 mg/L) and kinetin (0.5 mg/L) for 15 days.In vitro produced plantlets, were transferred to soil and placed in a glasshouse developed successfully, matured, and set seeds.     

Micropropagation of Dianthus caryophyllus L. — Control of Vitrification

Vitrification is a morphological and physiological disorder affecting in vitro regenerated plants. Vitrified shoots of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) regenerated from cultured cotyledons were abnormally glassy, thick and bushy with wider translucent leaves. Such vitrified shoots were recovered by culturing them on a medium supplemented with GA₃. Differentiation of shoot buds from the cultured cotyledons of D. caryophyllus occurred on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg/l). Shoot buds subcultured on the same medium resulted in further prolific development of shoot buds and bushy shoot growths. Key words: carnation, shoot morphogenesis, micropropagation, cotyledons vitrification.     

Factors influencing direct shoot regeneration from mature leaves of Jatropha curcas, an important biofuel plant

In order to establish a highly efficient and sustainable regeneration system, we systematically researched the key factors affecting direct shoot regeneration from Jatropha curcas leaves that were collected from Hainan (HN1-1), Lijiang (LJ3-1), and Yuxi (YX2-12) provinces in China. The L₉(3⁴) orthogonal test of thidiazuron (TDZ), kinetin (Kn), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) were studied, and the explant type, growth age, and cultivar of leaves were subsequently investigated. Simultaneously, the combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) promoting shoot bud proliferation, elongation, and root establishment were examined. The results showed that the best medium for shoot bud induction was Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L TDZ, 0.5 mg/L Kn, and 0.5 mg/L GA₃. TDZ was the key PGR, while Kn and GA₃ played an important role in shoot bud elongation and the number of shoots per leaf disk, respectively. The induced shoot buds proliferated and readily elongated in MS medium with 0.3 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.01 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and established roots in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L IBA. Using the previously described methods, the third to fifth leaves were found to be the best explant source for shoot bud induction, with a high induction rate, large shoot numbers per disk, excellent proliferation, and consistent rooting. With the use of this regeneration system, the shoot bud induction rate increased from the reported rate of 53.5% to more than 90% using different explants and cultivars, and the shoot number per leaf disk (shoot length?≥?0.5 cm) increased from 1.6 to 3.5. Thus, this optimized regeneration system will effectively promote the propagation and genetic transformation of J. curcas.     

Micropropagation of Capparis decidua through In Vitro Shoot Proliferation on Nodal Explants of Mature Tree and Seedling Explants

In vitro clonal propagation of Capparis decidua was achieved using nodal explants from mature trees, and cotyledonary node, cotyledon and hypocotyl explants taken from the seedlings. Explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP showed differentiation of multiple shoots and shoot buds in 4–5 weeks in the primary cultures. The medium with BAP (5 mg/l) was the best for shoot bud proliferation from the nodal as well as seedling explant. Shoot multiplication was best on cotyledonary node. In the nodal explants shoot multiplication was best on medium supplemented with 5 mg/l BAP and after second subculturing further multiplication of shoot buds was highest on the medium containing 3 mg/l BAP. Shoots were separated from mother cultures in each subculturing for rooting. Rooting was best achieved using 1 mg/l IBA in the medium. Rooted plantlets were transferred td earthen pots with garden soil and peat moss mixture.     

Plants obtained from the Khair tree (Acacia catechu Willd.) using mature nodal segments

An in vitro method for obtaining plants of Acacia catechu has been developed using nodal explants from mature `elite' trees growing in the field. Maximum shoot bud development (eight to ten) from a single explant was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (4.0 mg/l) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 mg/l). Addition of adenine sulphate (25.0 mg/l), ascorbic acid (20.0 mg/l) and glutamine (150.0 mg/l) to the medium was found beneficial for maximum shoot bud induction. The shoot buds developed into healthy and sturdy shoots on MS medium containing BAP and kinetin at 1.0 mg/l. Excised shoots were rooted on 1/4-strength MS medium with indole-3-acetic acid at 3.0 mg/l and 1.5% sucrose to obtain complete plants. Received: 17 June 1997 / Revision received: 11 September 1997 / Accepted: 27 September 1997     

Plant regeneration through the direct induction of shoot buds from petiole explants of Jatropha curcas: a biofuel plant

An efficient and reproducible method for the regeneration of Jatropha curcas plants has been developed. The method employed direct induction of shoot buds from petiole explants, without the formation of an intervening callus using a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ). The best induction of shoot buds (58.35%) and the number of shoot buds per explant (10.10) were observed when in vitro petiole explants were placed horizontally on MS medium supplemented with 2.27 µM TDZ after 6 weeks. The induced shoot buds were transferred to MS medium containing 10 µM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 µM 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and 5.5 µM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for shoot proliferation. The proliferated shoots could be elongated on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), NAA and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). MS medium supplemented with 2.25 µM BAP and 8.5 µM IAA was found to be the best combination for shoot elongation and 3.01–3.91 cm elongation was achieved after 6 weeks. However, significant differences in plant regeneration and shoot elongation were observed among the genotypes studied. The orientation (horizontal or vertical) and source (in vitro or in vivo) of explants also significantly influenced plant regeneration. The elongated shoots could be rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, different concentrations and combinations of IBA, IAA and NAA, and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, 15 µM IBA, 5.7 µM IAA, 5.5 µM NAA and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal was found to be the best for promoting rooting. The rooted plants could be established in soil with more than 90% survival.     

In vitro flowering and pod formation from cotyledons of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary The response of groundnut cotyledons to the presence of various growth regulators in concentrations from 0.1 to 5 mg/l has been studied in detail using several genotypes of groundnut on two different media. Cotyledons with embryo axis, cultured on Blaydes' medium with cytokinins, produced shoots, in the axils of which 2–7 flower buds could be seen. The frequency of flower bud induction in general increased with increasing concentrations of cytokinins, the optimal levels being 3 mg/l of KN or 4 mg/l of BAP. Cotyledons without embryo axis, cultured on Blaydes' medium with BAP (0.5 mg/l), produced a cluster of flower buds directly, ranging in number from 8–28, without any vegetative growth. Excised embryo axes cultured on the same medium gave plantlets without flower buds. The growth regulators IAA, NAA, GA₃ and ABA failed to induce flower buds in independent treatments. However, lower concentrations of IAA and NAA in combination with cytokinins exerted a positive influence on flowering. The blooming of the flower buds was facilitated on media supplemented with low concentrations of cytokinins. Six percent of the induced flowers resulted in gynophore development and ultimately formed pods when cultured under complete dark conditions in modified MS medium supplemented with kinetin.     

Plant regeneration via adventitious bud formation from cotyledon explants of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

Cotyledon explants of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) produced somatic embryos directly on medium without growth regulators, with 89% of the explants forming somatic embryos. Cytokinin treatment greatly suppressed somatic embryo formation but stimulated the direct formation of adventitious buds. BAP treatment was more effective than the kinetin treatment for adventitious bud formation. Auxin (0.05 mg/l IBA) in combination with cytokinin enhanced adventitious bud formation, with the highest frequency, 40%, at 0.05 mg/l IBA and 5 mg/l BAP. Adventitious buds were mainly formed near the distal portion of the cotyledons, while somatic embryos were formed near the proximal excised margins. Shoots were developed from adventitious buds after transfer to MS medium with 10 mg/l GA₃. Root formation from the shoots was obtained after the shoots were transferred to half-strength MS medium with auxin (IAA). When the plants derived from adventitious buds were transferred to greenhouse soil, 36% were successfully acclimatized. Received: 7 November 1997 / Revision received: 12 January 1998 / Accepted: 7 February 1998     

Plantlets from somatic callus tissue of the woody legume Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. F. Wight

In vitro regeneration of plantlets and multiplication of Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W.F. Wight plants from cultured callus tissue were demonstrated. Callus was established from both cotyledons and mature leaflets on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) and 2,4-D (2 mg/l). Callus mediated shoot bud differentiation was studied under defined nutritional, hormonal and cultural conditions. Various concentrations of BAP or kinetin (Kn) with coconut milk (CM) in MS media induced different levels of shoot bud differentiation as well as multiplication. Multiple shoot bud differentiation occurred in most of the primary calli. The best medium for shoot bud differentiation from cotyledon derived callus, contained BAP (2 mg/l) and 15% CM (V/V). More efficient shoot bud organogenesis was recorded with BAP than Kn. Supplementation with CM in MS media accelerated shoot bud organogenesis in differentiating callus tissue. Rooting of differentiated shoots was achieved by a three step culture procedure involving (a) MS solid medium containing IBA (2 mg/l), (b) growth regulator free half strength MS medium with 1% charcoal, and (c) half strength MS liquid medium free of vitamins, growth regulators and charcoal.Abbreviations IAA indoleacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - Kn kinetin - CM coconut milk - MS Murashige and Skoog's medium - SBI shoot bud inducing medium     

In vitro microrhizome production in Zingiber officinale Rosc.

Microrhizomes of Zingiber officinale were successfully produced from tissue culture derived shoots by transferring them to liquid MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP, 2 mg/l calcium pantothenate, 0.2 mg/l GA₃ and 0.05 mg/l NAA for shoot proliferation. After 4 weeks of incubation, the medium was replaced with microrhizome induction medium, consisting of MS salts supplemented with 8 mg/l BAP and 75 g/l sucrose. Microrhizome formation started after 20 d of incubation in stationary cultures at 25+1 ° in the dark. Microrhizomes with 1–4 buds and weighing 73.8 to 459 mg each were harvested after 50–60 d. After storage for 2 months in moist sand at room temperature, 80% of the microrhizomes sprouted producing roots and shoots.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium     

Highly efficient shoot regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacopa monnieri</Emphasis> (L.) using a two-stage culture procedure and assessment of genetic integrity of micropropagated plants by RAPD

A two-stage culture procedure has been developed for highly efficient shoot regeneration from leaf and internode explants of Bacopa monnieri. Adventitious shoot buds were obtained on the shoot induction medium containing Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal salt supplemented with 1.5 mg/l thidiazuron and 0.5 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid; these shoot buds were subcultured on the multiplication (second) medium amended with BAP (benzyl amino purine). Multiplication medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP produced more shoots (135) and longer shoots (7.8 cm) with more nodes (6). Best response of root induction with more number of roots (16.5) and longer roots (8.7 cm) was observed in half strength MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and 0.5 mg/l phloroglucinol. In vitro obtained plants were transferred to the field after hardening with a 100% survival rate. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis was carried out using five random primers. The amplification products were monomorphic in micropropagated plants and similar to those of mother plant. No polymorphism was detected revealing the genetic integrity of micropropagated plants.     

Differential cytokinin effects on the stimulation of in vitro shoot proliferation from meristematic explants of castor (Ricinus communis L.)

A highly efficient and reproducible method of in vitro propagation using meristematic explants has been developed for castor. Embryo axes and shoot tips were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5–10.0 mg/l of adenine, N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kn), thiadiazuron (TDZ) and zeatin. TDZ (1.0–10.0 mg/l) gave the maximum number of shoots (37.8–40.0) from embryo axes, while BA (2.0 mg/l) was found superior to other cytokinins for obtaining the highest number of shoots (46.7) from the shoot apex. Adenine and Kn at all of the tested concentrations resulted in low proliferation rates from embryo axes. The carryover effect of the cytokinins was tested by subculturing proliferating shoot cultures from various media onto the medium fortified with 0.5 mg/l BA. There was no significant influence of the cytokinins on subsequent proliferation from the two explant types except for TDZ with embryo axes. The number of shoots from TDZ-habituated embryo axes ranged between 36.0 and 81.7, while it varied from 5.7 to 22.0 and 3.7 to 28.3 in axillary buds and embryo axes, respectively, on the other media. For elongation of shoots, gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0.1–1.0 mg/l) was added to the medium supplemented with 0.2–0.5 mg/l BA. Incorporation of GA₃ (0.1 mg/l) significantly enhanced the frequency of elongated shoots but drastically reduced the multiplication ability. Hence, proliferating shoot clusters were periodically transferred to the medium supplemented with 0.5 and 0.2 mg/l BA for further multiplication and elongation. Well-developed shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. The rooted plantlets were acclimatized with more than 60% success. Received: 17 June 1997 / Revision received: 3 September 1997 / Accepted: 20 September 1997     

Regeneration of Lonicera tatarica plants via adventitious organogenesis from cultured stem explants

We describe an efficient process for the regeneration of Lonicera tatarica plants from cultured stem sections. Induction of multiple shoots was achieved directly from cultured stem cuttings. The highest regeneration rate was achieved on Gamborg's B5 medium supplemented with 4% sucrose and 0.8% Difco bacto-agar in the absence of hormones. Differentiated shoots were elongated for 5-7 days on induction medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l GA₃. Shoot induction and elongation experiments were carried out using original stem explants from either 2-, 6-, or 18-month-old donor plants. The age of the donor plant had no noticeable effect on either process. However, rooting of elongated shoots occurred only with shoots derived from 2-month-old donor plants. Rooting efficiency and proliferation were highest on half-strength WPM medium supplemented with 2 µM indole-3-butyric acid and 0.6% Keylis agar. The plants regenerated from stem explants were morphologically normal, and levels of loganin and secologanin were comparable to those detected in plants grown from seed and maintained through vegetative propagation.     

In vitro morphogenetic studies on three apomictic species of Garcinia

Comparison of morphogenetic potential of three important Indian species of Garcinia??G. indica, G. cambogia and G. xanthochymus has been reported. Apomictic seeds of G. indica were found to be morphogenetically most potential followed by G. cambogia. The explants of G. xanthochymus were highly recalcitrant towards in vitro conditions and failed to induce adventitious buds on any of the media tested. High frequency direct shoot bud differentiation was induced in aseptic seed cultures of G. indica and G. cambogia on MS medium supplemented with cytokinins (BAP, kinetin or TDZ). Amongst the three cytokinins tested, TDZ (0.1?C0.5???M) was most effective for adventitious bud differentiation in both G. indica and G. cambogia, however, the proliferating buds failed to elongate. Substantial number of buds induced on BAP supplemented media elongated into shoots after subculture on elongation medium. Addition of NAA along with cytokinins in the induction medium enhanced callusing without improvement in bud induction response. The induced adventitious buds were elongated on MS basal medium containing 0.2% activated charcoal. Direct rooting was achieved in both G. indica and G. cambogia on auxin supplemented media with best response at 10???M IBA concentration in both the species. The in vitro raised plantlets showed 90% survival in the field when transferred after hardening and acclimatization.     

In vitro propagation through axillary bud multiplication in different mulberry genotypes

Axillary buds from 5 genotypes of mulberry belonging to 4 species were cultured on modified MS basal medium. A total of 30 media combinations were tried for all the genotypes. The response of axillary buds and the requirement for growth regulators varied with genotype. In Morus indica BAP (0.25–0.5 mg/l), and in M. alba and M. rotondifolia GA₃ (0.5–1.0 mg/l)were found to induce sprouting. Two genotypes of M. bombycis, namely Schimanochi and Mizusawa, developed healthy shoots on the incorporation of 2,4-D (0.5–1.0 mg/l) and BAP (0.5–2.0 mg/l), respectively. IBA (0.5 mg/l), along with cytokinin/auxin/gibberellin, had no effect on bud growth but helped root induction. Shoots developed from the axillary buds were further multiplied as nodal explants. MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IBA and LS vitamins was found best to produce healthy plantlets in all the genotypes. An average 89% survival was observed on transferring the plantlets to soil.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - LS Linsmaier and Skoog (1965) - IBA 3-indole-butyric acid - GA₃ Gibberellic acid - BAP 6-Benzylaminopurine - Kn Kinetin - 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid