Abstract

IN VITRO CALLUS INDUCTION AND SHOOT REGENERATION IN CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS (LINN.) SCHRAD

Mahesh Chand Meena*, Rishi Kesh Meena and Vidya Patni

ABSTRACT

An efficient protocol was developed for in vitro plant regeneration and multiplication through callus culture in Citrullus colocynthis. Ideal medium for callus establishment through nodal stem segment explant was MS-medium supplemented with NAA (2.0 mg/l) in combination with BAP (2.0 mg/l). Maximum shoot bud differentiation from callus culture was achieved on MS-medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg/l) and Kn (1.0 mg/l). Elongation and further development of shoot buds into shoots were achieved on MS-medium fortified with BAP (1.0 mg/l) and Kn (1.0 mg/l). Therefore, this medium was designated as “shoot bud differentiation and elongation medium”. This is the first report of in vitro callus induction and shoot regeneration in Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad.

Keywords: Callus culture, regeneration, Citrullus colocynthis, In vitro.