Callus Induction and Regeneration in <I>Azadirachta indica</I> (A. Juss) <I>In-vitro</I>

Abstract

Azadirachta indica is a typical tropical/sub-tropical plant were used for micropropagation and generation of plantlets from callus cultures. Induction of somaclonal variability in the existing germplasm was another aim. Callus was initiated from young leaves on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA (2 mg/l) and 2,4-D (0.5 mg/l). Organogenesis was achieved by transferring callus on MS medium supplemented with TDZ (3.0 mg/l) and adenine (1.0 mg/l) getting a very high frequency of shoot regeneration 81.3 per cent. Well-grown shoots rooted easily on MS-half supplemented with IBA +IAA (2.0+0.5 mg/l) and 80-90% rooting was achieved. Plantlets got hardened by keeping them in hardening unit for few days. Hardened plants established very well in the nursery. Though originated from callus, these plants did not show any morphological variations and were similar to their parent donar plant. Histological study revealed that regeneration took place through denovo merestemoid formation.