Somatic organogenesis/embryogenesis from in vitro cultures of mussaenda (Mussaenda Erythrophylla Schum & Thonn.)

Abstract

Ovary wall was identified as the best source of explantfor callus production, registering a callus index value of 400, when cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA 2 mg/l+ kinetin 1 mg/I or NAA 4 mg/l + kinetin 2 mg/l. Shoot regeneration from the callus occurred at a frequency of 33.3 per cent on MS medium supplemented with BA 2 mg/l or BA/kinetin combinations 0.5 + 0.5 mg/l or 0.5 + 0.3 mg/1. Root regeneration was observed at a frequency of 66.7 per cent, with 13.33 roots per culture on MS medium containing kinetin NAA combination 2+8 mg/l after 60 days of culture. Globular structures resembling somatic embryoids having simultaneous root and shoot development were observed when callus from tha induction medium (MS •+• 2,4-D 2 mg/l -f kinetin 1 mg/l) was transferred to MS medium containing BA/kinetin combinations 0.5 4- 0.5 mg/l or 1 + 0.5 mg/l, after 70 to 73 days of culture. About 4.5 shoots with tufts of miniature roots were formed per culture in the best treatment.