Efficient Plantlet Regeneration in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

In vitro culture response was assessed in three varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) for optimum callus induction and plantlet regeneration. Callus induction was achieved within seven- ten days and plantlet regeneration was observed in 20 days across varieties. Presence of 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l Kn produced maximum shootlets. N6 medium displayed the best regeneration percentage, plantlet regeneration, maximum number and length of shootlets, while MS produced tall whole plantlets. Appropriate levels of gelling agents, phytohormones and carbon sources and adjuvents like agar and agarose (2 and 0.8%), Kn (2.0 mg/l) and IAA (0.5 mg/l), glucose and sucrose (1.5 % each), folic acid (0.25 mg/l), biotin (0.5 mg/l), coconut water (5%) and use of young hypocotyl explants were found to enhance plantlet regeneration and length of plantlets. For whole plantlet regeneration proximal end of cotyledons were most compatible. Plain half strength of MS was found to be the best rooting medium, however addition of IAA (1.0 mg/l) was found essential to induce longer roots.