Effect of Genotype, Explant and Hormonal Concentration on in Vitro Response of Eggplant

Three wild relatives Solanum: S. trilobatum L. (P1), S. indicum L. (P2), S. surattense Burm F. (P3) and four cultivars of S. melongena L.: ‘Pusa Kranthi ’ (P4), ‘Pusa purple long ’ (P5), ‘Pusa purple cluster ’ (P6) and ‘Green round ’ (P7) were evaluated for their callus induction frequency, total callus quantity, embryogenic callus quantity and plant regeneration ability. The present experiment revealed that in vitro response was significantly affected by the genotype, hormonal concentration and age of the explants (P<0.05). Cotyledon at walking stick stage of explants responded more than the opened leaves stage in all genotypes except in P1. Out of seven genotypes, P3 exhibited the highest callus induction, E-callus and regeneration response followed by P5 while highest total callus quantity obtained in P4. MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l NAA+2.5 mg/l BAP was optimum for callus initiation, total callus quantity and embryogenic callus formation, and MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l each BAP and KN were optimum for regeneration. Rooting of shoots occurred on half strength MS medium supplemented with 1 and 1.5 mg/l IBA respectively. The rooted plant lets were well accomplished with a survival frequency of 85.5±5%. Moreover, there were no phenotypic differences observed between the in vitro regenerated and in vivo plantlets