PROLIFIC SHOOT REGENERATION FROM IMMATURE EMBRYO EXPLANTS OF SAINFOIN(ONOBRYCHIS-VICIIFOLIA SCOP)

Immature cotyledons and embryo axes of sainfoin were cultured on Muras hige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to in duce adventitious shoot regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot r egeneration occurred following an initial callus growth on a MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l NAA Immature embryo axes showed hi gher regeneration capacity than immature cotyledons, however, shoot el ongation was best achieved on immature cotyledons. Regenerated shoots were excised and rooted in half strength MS medium with 1 mg/l indole- butyric acid (IBA) or 1 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were finally tr ansferred to compost.