Rapid micropropagation of a tree of arid forestryAnogeissus acuminata

Multiple shoots (16–20 shoots per expiant) were induced from cotyledonary node region ofAnogeissus acuminata (Roxb. ex DC.) Guill. & Perr. on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium containing IAA 0.1 mg 1^-1 + BAP 1.5 mg 1^-1 and ascorbic acid 50 mg 1^-1, citric acid 25.0 mg 1^-1, arginine 25 mg 1^-1 and adenine sulphate 25 mg 1^-1. From the first node of seedling only 4–6 shoots per expiant were proliferated. Segments ofin vitro produced shoots were used as expiants for further multiplication of shoots upto 16 successive cultures at an interval of 4 week on MS medium with IAA 0.1 mg 1^-1 + BAP 1.0 mg 1^-1 and additives. The original cotyledonary expiant was repeatedly subcultured upto 4 times after harvesting crop of shoots, each time.In vitro produced shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium containing 0.5 mg 1^-1 IBA. Plantlets were transferred to pots. Other expiants (cotyledons, hypocotyl, and leaf) produced callus on medium containing auxins and cytokinins. The calluses differentiated into embryo like structures or roots on MS medium.     

Regeneration of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) CV Sahyadri from seedling explants

Root, hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass) CV. Sahyadri were aseptically cultured on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium (MS) containing BAP and kinetin. Multiple shoot regeneration was induced from hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants while root explants produced only callus on MS medium supplemented with BAP. BAP (1 mg l^-1) was optimum for shoot regeneration. Regenerated shoots were transferred to MS medium without auxins, with auxins and with increasing concentrations of sucrose for rooting. Complete plantlets were obtained in all cases; however, 0.5 mg l^-1 NAA was the best for induction of roots. Ninety-seven per cent of the plantlets survived and completed their life cycle when transferred to natural conditions.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylamino purine - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

Thede novo Formation of Buds and Plantlets from Various Explants ofAilanthus altissima Mill. Culturedin vitro

The hypocotyls, cotyledons, leaf blades, whole leaves and petioles of seedlings ofAilanthus altissima are capable of producing callus and budsin vitro. Buds and callus were also obtained from whole leaves and internodes of 2-years old plantlets grownin vitro. From the calli buds differentiated and later, both from buds developing directly without a callus phase and alsovia a callus phase, well developed shoots were formed. The cultures were mainained on MS medium in 2 combinations: A) IAA - 0.2 mg 1⁻¹, BAP - 1 mg 1⁻¹, GA₃ - 0.5 mg 1⁻¹, thiamine - 4 mg 1⁻¹ and sucrose 3 %; B) BAP - 0.5 mg 1⁻¹, IAA - 1 mg 1⁻¹, casein hydrolysate 400 mg 1⁻¹, thiamine 4 mg 1⁻¹ and sucrose 3 %. Excised shoots, which had developedde novo in culture, produced roots when incubated on the basic mineral medium of MS with the addition of IAA. The regenerative potential ofA. altissima is very high and this woody species seems to be an ideal object for various morphogenetic studies.     

Plant regeneration in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) via coleoptile tissue cultures

Summary Plant regeneration in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. cv. Touchdown) via culture of seedling tissues was investigated. When coleoptile, leaf, and stem sections of dark-germinated seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, different types of callus were produced, depending on the expiant source and growth regulator combinations. Only compact-friable callus (type 3) and moderately compact, friable callus (type 2) produced shoots upon subculture. The nonstructured watery callus (type 4) produced roots without shoots. Shoot differentiation from callus tissues was highest when the culture medium contained 0.2 mgL^–1 picloram + 0.01 mgL^–1 -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Calli grown from coleoptiles had higher shoot regeneration frequency (32%) than that obtained from either stem sections (12%) or young leaf tissues (2%) of the same seedlings. Some organogenic callus lines produced exclusively green plants, while others produced albino shoots or a mixture of green and albino shoots. The green plants were multiplied in a medium containing 0.1 mgL^–1 BAP plus either 0.2 mgL^–1 picloram or 0.1 mgL^–1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Over 90% of the cultures in the shoot proliferation medium produced roots in 4 weeks. The rooted plants were successfully established in soil medium and grown in the greenhouse.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - picloram 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid - TDZ thidiazuron     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Tissue Cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus L.

Somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of plantlets was achieved In callus cultures derived from cotyledonary leaf pieces of Hyoscyamus muticus L on MS medium enriched with 2 mg/l 2,4–0 and 0.5 mg/l BAP. For embryogenesis and organogenesis varying concentrations of NAA with or without BAP were added In the medium. Organogenesis was also achieved when callus was transferred to the hormone free medium.     

Rapid mass propagation of Chrysanthemum morifolium by callus derived from stem and leaf explants

A procedure for rapid multiplication of Chrysanthemum morifolium RAMAT cv. Birbal Sahni using leaf callus and stem (nodal/internodal) callus as well as node and apical shoots has been developed. Murashige and Skoog's medium (1962) supplemented with 2mg/1 2,4-D yielded good green calli from both leaf and stem segments within 2 weeks. About 1 cm × 1 cm callus regenerated 2–3 shoots after 3 weeks on MS solid medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IAA and 0.2 mg/l BAP. Each of the regenerated shoots when transferred to the same shooting medium without agar yielded about 150 new shoots, which in turn regenerated roots after another week in MS half strength or modified White's media (Rangaswamy, 1961). It has been estimated that about 10¹⁴ plantlets could be produced in a year from one expiant following the proposed protocol.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium     

In vitro Regeneration of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus from Leaf and Petiole Explants

Regeneration of adventitious shoots from leaf and petiole pieces of Gerbera jamesonii has been obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins. About 75’77 per cent of the calli from both types of the explants produced 12’15 shoots per callus with 3 mg l^?1 SAP. Auxins and kinetin, separately failed to produce shoots. The shoots regenerated on the callus induction medium (elM). The regenerated shoots multiplied with 1 mg l^?1 SAP, were rooted on MS medium containing 1mg l^-1 BAP + 0.1 mg l^-1 IAA. The plants obtained were transferred to pots and acclimatized with 60’70 per cent success.     

Establishment of Plantlets and Evaluation of Differentiated Roots for Alkaloids in Rauwolfia serpentha

Different explants of Rauwolfia serpentina were tested for their capacity and root differentiation. MS sedium containing 2.0 mg I^-1 BAP or 1.5 mg I^-1 BAP with 0.5 mg I-* NAA gave the best shoot proliferation from shoot apices (84.12%). Multiple shoots subcultured on the same media gave higher number of shoots (6–9). Callus formed at the cut ends of explants produced shoots when subcultured on the above media. Rooting was achieved after transfer of shoots either to hormone free or half strength or full strength MS medium with different concentrations of IAA (0.5,1.0 mg I^-1 and IBA (0.5,1.0 mg I^-1).The complete regenerated plantlets have been successfully transferred to earthen pots in green house. Maximum root differentiation from leaves, stem and nodal cuttings derived calli was obtained on MS medium supplemented with NAA (2.0 mg I^-1) and BAP (1.5 mg I^-1). Identification of reserpine and other alkaloids from differentiated roots holds an interesting alternative for controlled production of alkaloids from this endangered, overexploited medicinal plant species.     

Organogenesis and embryogenesis from callus cultures of Azadirachta excelsa

ABSTRACT

Callus production from leaf explants of Azadirachta excelsa (Jack) Jacobs was favoured by Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 4 mg l^-1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1 mg l^-1 6-benzyladenine (BAP). Increasing the concentration of BAP to 2 mg l^-1 induced shoot regeneration. Adding polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to the medium resulted in a significantly increased number of shoots. Transfer onto medium containing 0.5 mg l^-1 BAP, 0.4 mg l^-1 gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 2% sucrose stimulated elongation of the internodes; subsequent transfer onto medium containing 1 mg l^-1 IBA induced root formation. The histological analysis demonstrated that organogenesis and embryogenesis occurred in the same callus. However, shoots originated inside the callus mass, whereas the embryos originated on the surface. Given that the embryos did not develop beyond the globular or heart-shaped stage, we concluded that the plants regenerated from callus were derived only from organogenesis.     

Callus Culture and Plant Regeneration from Seedling Explants of Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov

Callus cultures were established from seedling explants of Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins. Optimal callus developed from leaf explants on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2 mg l^?1) + 2iP (0.1 mg l^?1), was used for morphogenesis. Adventitious shoots were regenerated (70%) from the calli on MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.1 mg l^?1)+ BAP (2 mg l^?1). Individual shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l^?1 IBA. Plantlets with well developed roots were successfully transferred to soil and 50% of the transferred plants survived.     

Regeneration of plants from callus cultures of Origanum vulgare L.

Investigations were undertaken to achieve rapid multiplication and improvement of Origanum vulgare (a herbaceous, ornamental plant well known for its aromatic and medicinal value) through plant regeneration from callus. The explants (cotyledons, hypocotyl and root segments) excised from 15 d old aseptic seedlings were cultured on Gamborg's B₅ medium supplemented with 2,4-D, NAA and BAP individually and in various combinations (at concentrations of 0,10^–7,10^–6 and 10^–5 M). Best callus induction was noted on medium with 10^–7 M 2,4-D alone. The cotyledonary expiants proved to be the best source for compact and nodulated callus. The subcultured cotyledonary calli showed shoot induction when transferred onto media supplemented with BAP alone orin combination with 10^–7M or 10^–6MNAA. However, 10^–5M NAA completely suppressed the shoot inducing ability of BAP. In general, NAA promoted root induction from all explants used including cotyledonary callus. Best shoot induction was obtained on medium supplemented with 10^–6M BAP+10^–6MNAA. Both IBA and NAA at 10^–6 M proved to be equally effective in induction of roots from the cut ends of 15–20 mm long shoots (excised from callus) in half-strength B₅ liquid medium. Rooted shoots were successfully re-established in soil under controlled conditions.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine     

Regeneration of Heracleum candicans Wall Plants from Callus Cultures through Organogenesis

Callus was initiated from petiole explants of Heracleum candicans on MS medium fortified with BAP and 2,4-D ( 0.5 mg I^-1 each). Maximum shoot differentiation from callus occurred on MS medium containing 1 mg I^-1 BAP and 0.2 mg I^-1 NAA. The regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg I^-1 IBA. The rooted plants were transferred to the field after successful hardening in pots containing vermiculite. All regenerated plants were diploid with 2n=22 chromosomes in their root tip cells.     

In vitro regeneration of Aristolochia tagala and production of artificial seeds

Protocols for in vitro plant multiplication from somatic tissues and production of artificial seeds through encapsulation of nodes were developed for Aristolochia tagala Cham., a rare and valuable medicinal plant, as a measure of conservation and as a prerequisite for genetic transformation procedure. A maximum number of adventitious shoots were regenerated from leaf-derived callus on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 2 μM), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0.5 μM), and phloroglucinol (PG; 10μM). Nodes collected from in vitro established shoot cultures were encapsulated in 3 % (m/v) sodium alginate and 1 % (m/v) calcium chloride. Multiple shoots were successfully regenerated from the encapsulated nodes cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 μM BAP and 0.5 μM kinetin (KIN). Regenerated shoots from callus and artificial seeds were successfully rooted and acclimated to greenhouse conditions. Since roots of A. tagala are primarily used in traditional medicine, a protocol for regenerating roots directly from the leaf derived callus was also developed. Maximum root length was obtained when the callus was cultured in MS medium supplemented with KIN (1 μM), indole acetic acid (IAA; 0.5 μM), NAA (0.1 μM), and PG (10 μM). Biochemical parameters were studied in calli grown with and without PG in the medium to establish a correlation between these parameters and shoot morphogenesis. An increment of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) and metabolites (sugars and proteins), and a decrease in the amount of polyphenol oxidase was observed in the calli which were grown in the presence of PG.     

In vitro differentiation and plant regeneration of Albizia chinesis (Osb.) Merr

Summary Petiolar and distal cotyledonary segments (PCS and DCS) of Albizia chinensis were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS; 1962) medium and induced to form adventitious shoot buds in the presence of either cytokinins 6-benzylamino purine (BAP), kinetin (KN) or thidiazuron (TDZ). Superiority of BAP in inducing shoot bud and differentiation was observed. PCS was more morphogenic to shoot bud differentiation than DCS. TDZ was highly effective in inducing shoot buds, but arrested shoot growth, while KN produced more callus during differentiation of shoots. Rapid and high rate of shoot multiplication per explant was achieved through subculture in MS medium containing BAP (1.0 mg l⁻¹) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 mg l⁻¹). BAP at low concentration was required to enhance shoot multiplication and elongation. Successful rooting of regenerated shoots was carried out in a two-step culture procedure in MS media with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (2.0 mg l⁻¹) and subsequent subculture in IBA-free medium.     

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from mature leaf explants of Eryngium foetidum,a condiment

Eryngium foetidum L. is an important plant cultivated as a leafy vegetable and for its essential oil, which are of high economic value in international trade market. Plants were regenerated through somatic embryogenesis from mature leaf explants of field grown plants. Leaf explants produced dark brown, compact callus on Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium with the combination of 1.0 mg l^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg l^-1 benzylaminopurine (BAP). Somatic embryos were induced from embryo-forming callus cultures on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l^-1 2,4-D, 2.0 mg l^-1 BAP and 1.0 mg l^-1 gibberellic acid (GA₃). Subsequently, conversion of these somatic embryos into plantlets occurred on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l^-1 GA₃ and/or 0.1 mg l^-1 BAP. The regenerated shoots were rooted and elongated on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l^-1 IAA and 1.0 mg l^-1 GA₃. These plantlets were hardened and transferred to the soil. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In vitro organogenesis and alkaloid accumulation in Datura innoxia

The kinetics of tropane alkaloids accumulation in different organs such as roots, leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of Datura innoxia was investigated by GC-MS. Twenty-six tropane alkaloids were detected. The ester derivatives of tropine (3alpha-tigloyloxytropine and 3-tigloyloxy-6-hydroxytropine) are the major compounds. Undifferentiated callus were established from the stem explants of Datura innoxia using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplied with 6-benzylaminopurine (BA, 1 mg l(-10) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 0.5 mg l(-1)) in combination for 6 weeks. Callus differentiation was initiated by subculture onto solid MS medium, free from hormones, for more than 10 months. Initially, shoots were formed after four weeks from subculture. Further subculturing in basal MS medium without growth regulators initiated the rooting of a shooty callus after 6 weeks. Investigation of the alkaloid content of the unorganized and organized callus revealed that callus (either green or brown) yielded only trace amounts of alkaloids. On the other hand, re-differentiated shoots contained mainly scopolamine while re-differentiated roots biosynthesized hyoscyamine as the main alkaloid.     

High frequency plantlets regeneration from seedling explants of Prosopis tamarugo

Callus cultures of Prosopis tamarugo Phil (Leguminosae, Sub family-Mimosoideae) were established from hypocotyls and cotyledons on MS medium supplemented with NAA (2.0 mg l^-1) and BAP (0.2 mg l^-1). Regeneration through various juvenile explants was obtained on hormone-free and high cytokinin containing Murashige and Skoog's medium. Multiple shoot buds formation was observed from the embryonic axis on MS medium incorporated with BAP (5.0 mg l^-1)). Elongation of shoot buds was observed on subsequent transfer to MS medium with BAP (1.0–2.5 mg l^-1) or without BAP. Explants containing apical meristem showed higher number of shoot formation at an early period. De novo shoot buds formation through callus morphogenesis was observed at the base of differentiated shoots on high cytokinin containing medium. All the manipulations of salt strength of MS, nitrogen, carbon, ascorbic acid and polyamines failed to induce organogenesis in isolated callus. In vitro produced shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with IBA or NAA singly or in combination.Abbreviations HC high cytokinin (BAP 5.0 mg l^-1) - BAP 6-benzyl amino purine - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - HF hormone free - NAA I-naphthalene acetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog     

An efficient plant regeneration system through callus for Pseudarthria viscida (L.) Wright and Arn., a rare ethnomedicinal herb

The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol to induce high frequency of callus and subsequent plantlet regeneration for Pseudarthria viscida; an important medicinal plant. The cotyledonary node and young leaf pieces (1 × 0.5 cm, length × breadth) were used as explants for callus induction and subsequent shoot regeneration and adventitious roots induction from the shoots. The best results were achieved on the following media: (1) 96 % callus induction from cotyledonary node explants on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mgl⁻¹ 2, 4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and 0.5 mgl⁻¹ 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), (2) 97 % shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node derived calli with an average of 44.9 shoots per explant on MS medium fortified with 3.0 mgl⁻¹ N₆-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 1 mgl⁻¹ NAA,37 (3) 98 % rooting with an average number of 3.3 roots per shoot on MS medium containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or NAA (0.5–4 mgl⁻¹) after 45 days. The plantlets were transferred to the field after acclimatization. Of the 40 plantlets transplanted to the soil, 29 survived (72.5 %).     

Induced Caulogenesis in Long-term Callus Cultures of Rosrnarinus officinalis L

The callus formed in Rosmarinus officinalis L in association with shoot tip proliferation was isolated and subjected to different treatments for good growth. Two basal media, namely, Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Schenk and Hildebrdndt (SH) and their modifications supplemented with 0.25 mg I^-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 0.5 mg I^-1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1.0 mg I^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were used. Callus in MS medium, was compact and remained fresh and green upto 30 days but grew slowly. Whereas, in SH medium callus growth was rapid but it turned brown within 15 days.The browning of callus could be checked with the addition of 1500 mg I^-1 NH,NO, to the medium, in which callus grew 15 fold in fresh weight during 21 days and remained fresh upto 45 days of incubation.The shoot buds differentiated in this somatic callus with the addition of 0.5 mg I^-1 each of BAP, 2-isopentenyl adenine (2ip), IAA and 10 mg I^-1 gibberellic acid (GA₃), within 15 days of incubation provided the callus remained floating on the liquid medium. Histological investigations revealed both peripheral and occasionally internal differentiation of shoot buds. Differentiated shoot buds were proliferated, rooted and transplanted in the soil.     

In vitro regeneration from excised leaves of Flaveria trinervia (Sprengel) C. Mohr

Flaveria trinervia (Compositae) leaves are used for the treatment of jaundice and fever. From the leaf callus cultures regeneration of plantlets has been achieved. The results showed that BAP greatly stimulated the bud formation in concentrations ranging from 2–5 mg l^–1 than at very low concentrations (0.2–1.0 mg l^–1). Roots developed on the regenerated shoots, over a range of treatments, but were most prolific in the medium containing 1 mg l^–1 IAA. Histological observations revealed that cultured spongy cells of the mesophyll were greatly enlarged and underwent repeated cell divisions leading to the formation of hard nodular callus from which shoot buds differentiated. The shoots obtained were readily rooted and transplanted into glass houses. Cytological studies of the callus showed abnormalities such as bridges, endomitosis and multinucleolate conditions. Root tip squashes of the regenerated plants showed no variations and were diploid in chromosome number.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - NAA napthalene acetic acid - IAA indole acetic acid - BAP 6-benzyl aminopurine - Kn kinetin