Abstract

Considering the potential benefit of meristem culture in the mass production of quality propagation materials, an experiment was conducted to investigate meristem culture in KUWE (G1) and 223098 (G2) genotypes of anchote. Concentration levels of 6-benzylamimopurine (BAP) with and without gibberellic acid (GA₃) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for shoot induction while BAP and kinetin (Kn) for shoot multiplication were evaluated. Full and half nutrient-strength of Murashige and Skoog medium (FMS and HMS) with sole application of indole butyric acid (IBA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) were tested for root induction. About 80% (G2) and 71% (G1) of meristems induced shoots at 1 and 0.5 mg/L BAP, respectively. The highest shoot number (6.52), in G2, was recorded at 0.5 mg/L BAP while 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L Kn produced 6.32 shoots in G1. FMS + 0.5 mg/L IBA was effective in 100% root induction in both genotypes. Survival rates of 58% (G1) and 42% (G2) were obtained. Generally, 0.5 mg/L BAP (G1) and 1 mg/L BAP (G) are best for shoot induction while 0.5 mg/L BAP (G2) and 0.5 mg/L BAP+0.5 mg/L Kn (G1) for multiple shoot development with best root formation on FMS+0.5 mg/L IBA.  

Key words: Direct regeneration, genotype, meristem explants, MS media, plant growth regulators (PGRs).