OPTIMIZATION OF CALLUS-CULTURE AND SHOOT MULTIPLICATION OF ASPARAGUS-DENSIFLORUS

The effects of different growth regulators on induction and growth of callus of Asparagus densiflorus cv. Sprengeri were studied. Calluses g rew more rapidly on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 5.4 mu M p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (pCPA) and 4.4 mu M 6-benzylamino purine (BA) (medium 1) as compared to the same medium with 11.3 mu M 2 ,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4.6 mu M kinetin (medium 2). Calluses on medium 1 were soft and friable, whereas, compact, hard ca lluses originated on medium 2. Different concentrations and combinatio ns of BA and/or kinetin were also used to study their effects on shoot regeneration. Kinetin was found to be less effective than BA in the i nitiation of shoots (1.8 shoots/callus). High numbers of shoots were p roduced in the presence of 0.4 mu M BA alone (3.3 shoots/callus). The addition of ancymidol (5 mu M) in MS with 0.4 mu M BA enhanced multipl ication of shoots (9.8 shoots/explant) and also produced well-develope d crowns.