Callus induction and plantlet regeneration in damiana (Turnera diffusa,Willd.)

Experiments were performed to determine optimal conditions for callus induction and plantlet regeneration from damiana (Turnera diffusa, Willd.) leaf explants. MS media [7] and B5 media [4] were used; both of them were supplemented with different combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyl-adenine (BA). In all cases the samples were incubated under continous fluorescent light, 100 mol.m^-2.sec^-1, at 25±2°C for 60 days. Highest callus percentage was obtained in MS media supplemented with 2,4-D 10^–5 M plus BA 10^-8M. Maximum percentage and multiple shoots and leaves were produced in MS media with BA 10^-5M and BA 10^-5M plus 2,4-D 10^-7M. These explants were transferred for rooting to MS medium without plant growth regulators. Later, rooted plantlets were successfully established in soil.