Direct Regeneration from Leaf Explants of Petunia, Petunia Hybrida

ABSTRACT Petunia is a very popular and high-value ornamental plant in the world. There is a high demand for petunia and hence plant nurseries are a great source of these plants. Owing to the fact that many high-value petunias are hybrids, production of plants through micro propagation is of great importance. As per the literature available, obtaining direct shoot proliferation from leaf explants has not been observed. In our study, direct regeneration was maximum in MS media supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L NAA and enhanced shoot number and length was observed in MS media supplemented with 2 mg/L Kn with 0.1 mg/L NAA. Micro shoots cultured on media with BAP alone produced the maximum number of shoots. Roots induced on half-strength MS medium with IBA at 1 mg/L, along with activated charcoal 2 g/L were long and of good quality with light green color. Plantlets were hardened with a success rate of 100% on agro peat substrate. The growth of these plants during hardening was extraordinary with hard stem and bunchy spread. Plants which were raised in the field showed extraordinary branching and gave a greater number of flowers than the seedling plants. Keywords: Direct regeneration, leaf explants, Petunia, ornamental plant, direct shoot proliferation