High Frequency Shoot Regeneration from Cotyledonary Node Explants of Different Lentil (Lens Culinaris Medik) Genotypes and In Vitro Micrografting

ABSTRACT

Shoot regeneration capacities of 21 different lentil genotypes were tested on MS medium containing 0.225 μM thidazuron (TDZ) using cotyledonary node explants. It was observed that 0.225 μM TDZ contributed positively in multiple shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node based calli. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (20.6 shoots/explants) was achieved from Ahn 362 genotype. Regenerated shoots were excised and cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1.25 μM IBA for rooting. However, root formation was not achieved on most of the regenerated shoots. To overcome this problem, regenerated shoots of seven most promising genotypes were micrografted on 3–4 days old root stocks of cultivar Kayi 91 succesfully. Micrografted plantlets were acclimatized to ambient conditions and later established under greenhouse conditions.