Assessment of callus induction and plant regeneration potential of leaf explants derived from in vitro and in vivo shoot of strawberry

The present investigation was carried out to study the plant regeneration using leaf explants obtained from in vitro and in vivo produced shoots of strawberry cv. Chandler. Both explants formed callus and multiple shoots. Highest callus induction (86.66%) and shoot regeneration (63.33%) was obtained with the calli of in vitro leaf explants on MS medium supplemented with BAP and NAA. The time required for callus induction and regeneration by the leaf explants from shoots grown under in vitro was less as compared to shoots produced under in vivo conditions. The number of shoots and shoot length obtained from in vivo leaf explants were also lesser as compared to in vitro conditions. The in vitro leaf derived calli was transferred to root initiation media containing different concentration of IBA and NAA, supplemented with activated charcoal after 8 weeks. Highest root initiation (91.33 per cent) was recorded on MS media supplemented with 1.5 mg/L of IBA and 200 mg/L of activated charcoal. The newly regenerated plantlets were sterilized and hardened in field conditions. The study inferred that in vitro explants takes less time for callus induction and regeneration, along with production of more number of shoots with increased shoot length and more number of roots and higher root induction as compared to in vivo.