IN-VITRO INDUCTION OF MULTIPLE SHOOTS AND PLANT-REGENERATION IN VIGNA

Cotyledonary nodes, excised cotyledons, and hypocotyl segments of six varieties of Vigna mungo and v. radiata have been tested for their mor phogenic potential on media containing a range of hormonal combination s including benzyladenine, kinetin. thidiazuron (TDZ), and zeatin. Mul tiple shoots developed on cotyledonary node explants in all varieties tested on basal medium containing cytokinin. Presence of both the coty ledons, either full or half, resulted in a maximum number of shoots pr oduced. Shoot bud regeneration was achieved via meristem formation on excised cotyledons on Murashige-Skoog basal medium with B-5 vitamins s upplemented with TDZ. Mature plants had normal phenotypes. V. mungo va r. PS1 and V. radiata vac Pusa105 were found to he the most responsive varieties for shoot regeneration. The histology of in vitro organogen esis was studied.