Efficient Plant Regeneration from Cotyledon and Midrib Derived Callus in Eggplant (<i>Solanum melongena</i> L.)

Abstract

Somatic embryos were obtained from cotyledon and midrib explants of Solanum melongena L., cultivar Loda. For callus induction, medium was supplemented with different concentrations of auxin singly or in combination with BAP. The best callusing 83-85% was obtained from both of the explants cultured on MS medium containing 2.0 mgl^-1NAA + 0.05 mgl^-1BAP. Somatic embryogenesis and shoot regeneration was achieved after transferring the calli to MS medium supplemented with BAP, GA3, NAA and Zeatin. Cotyledon derived calli showed better performance (87%) for regeneration than that of midrib (82%) when sub cultured on MS medium having 2.0 mgl^-1 Zeatin + 1.0 mgl^-1 BAP. For root induction, MS + 3.0 mgl^-1 IBA was proved to be better treatment for average number (14-15) and mean length (12 cm) of roots than those of other treatments. Key words: Eggplant; cotyledon; midrib; callus induction; somatic embryo J. bio-sci. 14: 1-9, 2006