SHOOT ORGANOGENESIS FROM CULTURED SEED EXPLANTS OF PEANUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA L) USING THIDIAZURON

Thidiazuron (TDZ) was utilized to induce adventitious shoot formation from the hypocotyl region of cultured seed explants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Excision of the radicle from seed explants was more sti mulatory to shoot initiation than removal of the epicotyl alone. Remov al of both the radicle and the epicotyl from seeds resulted in a 37-fo ld increase in the frequency of shoot production when compared to inta ct seeds. Half seed explants with epicotyl and radicle removed produce d the greatest number of shoots per explant. Explants from mature seed s were more responsive to TDZ than immature seed-derived explants. A 1 -wk exposure to 10 mu M TDZ was sufficient to stimulate the initiation of adventitious shoots that subsequently developed into plants. High frequency of shoot initiation was readily induced in a variety of geno types of A, hypogaea and a wild peanut (A. glabrata). Plants regenerat ed from shoots induced by TDZ were phenotypically normal and fertile.