MORPHOGENESIS AND PLANT-REGENERATION FROM TISSUE-CULTURES OF JATROPHA-CURCAS

Techniques for the regeneration of Jatropha curcas L. from various exp lants have been developed. Regeneration from hypocotyl, petiole and le af explants was evaluated on a range of concentrations of zeatin, kine tin and N-6 benzyladenine (BA) either singly or in combination with in dole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Higher regeneration from hypocotyl and peti ole explants was obtained on BA with IBA than on zeatin- or kinetin- s upplemented media. Leaf discs from the third expanding leaf exhibited higher regeneration potential than those from the fourth leaf. Indepen dent of the explant type, direct adventitious shoot bud induction was recorded highest on MS medium with 2.22 mu M BA and 4.9 mu M IBA. Alth ough the same BA concentration but with reduced IBA concentration (0.4 9 mu M) proved effective in callus mediated regeneration from hypocoty l and leaf explants, the petioles required lower concentrations of the two growth regulators (0.44 mu M BA and 0.49 mu M IBA). Regenerated s hoots could be rooted on growth regulator-free gelled full-strength MS medium. Following simple hardening procedures, the in vitro-raised pl ants could be transferred to soil and grown to maturity in the field.