BAP-regulated direct shoot organogenesis from cultured seedling explants of groundnut (<i>Arachis hypogaea </i>L.)

807-812An efficient procedure was developed for continuous shoot bud induction directly from the seedling ex plants of three groundnut cultivars. Explant and growth regulator used were shown to be critical factors for shoot organogenesis. Potential of 6-benzylaminopurine for shoot bud induction as well as for shoot proliferation was evaluated. Maximum percentage of shoot buds generated from different explants at 44.3μM of BAP added to the medium. Shoot bud proliferation and elongation, however, required BAP at the same level as for shoot bud induction and in conjunction with GA3 and NAA. Epicotyl and leaflet explants were found to be better suited for shoot bud induction than other explants. Regenerated shoots formed roots on MS medium (half strength) with and without auxins. In vitro rooted plantlets could readily be established in the greenhouse with survival frequency of 90%. Under optimal conditions 35-50 groundnut plantlets were obtained from a single explant in 8-10 weeks period. There were no phenotypic differences observed between these in vitro generated plants and the control plants of seed origin