PLANT-REGENERATION FROM CALLUS-CULTURES OF CROTALARIA SPP

Induction of callus was achieved from root, hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants of Crotalaria verucosa, Crotalaria pallida and Crotalaria la vernifolia on medium containing MURASHIGE & SKOOG (1962) supplemented with benzyladenine (BA; 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.3 mg.l(-1)) in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg.l(-1)) o r indole-3-acetic acid (IBA; 0.5, 1.0. 2.0 and 3.0 mg.l(-1)). Though o n all types of explants callus was induced, the best results were obta ined on cotyledons compared with the other two types of explants. Medi um containing BA in conjuction with NAA gave rise to fast proliferatin g callus when subcultured every 4 weeks. Shoot bud development was mos t frequent on the medium supplemented with BA (1.5-2.0 mg.l(-1)) and N AA (0.5-1.0 mg.l(-1)). IBA was not effective for the induction of shoo t buds from callus cultures. Regenerated shoots were excised and cultu red on 1/2 strength MURASHIGE-SKOOG medium supplemented with 0.1-0.5 m g.l(-1) IBA and 2% sucrose. Roots were initiated on the excised shoots after 8-18 days of transfer to the rooting medium. Suitable media and protocols for callus initiation arid regeneration of whole plants fro m callus have thus been established for three species of Crotalaria.