In vitro Plant Regeneration Studies in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L)

The present investigation was undertaken to standardize the protocol for high frequency invitro regeneration of brinjal variety Navkiran which is the essential pre-requisite step of application of biotechnological interventions for crop improvement. Multiple shoot regeneration via callus induction was achieved using epicotyl and hypocotyl as explant at various concentrations and combinations NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) (0.5mg/L and 1mg/L) and BAP (6-Benzyl Amino Purine) (1.0mg/L, 1.5mg/L and 2.0mg/L) in MS media. Earliest callus induction (6.33±0.33d), was observed when epicotyls was inoculated in MS media fortified with 0.5mg/L NAA and 2.0mg/L BAP. However, maximum callus weight (1.35±0.10g) was obtained in MS media fortified with 0.5mg/L NAA and 2.0mg/L BAP when hypocotyls was used as explant. Ninety percent callus induction was obtained in MS media supplemented with 0.5mg/L NAA and 2.0mg/L BAP in both the explants. Regarding the quality characters of callus, both explants showed variable response in different treatments used under the study. Colour of the callus was dark green, light green and cream, texture of callus was loose, friable and compact and abundance was plenty, moderate and poor. Among the explants used, epicotyl gave the best response to shoot regeneration, it was 52.77±2.61 and took minimum days of shoot regeneration (29.33±0.88), maximum shoot length (3.96 ± 0.06) in MS media fortified with 0.5mg/L NAA and 2.0mg/L BAP. In vitro rooting (68.82±2.70) was obtained within 14.33±1.20 days with 19.10±0.86 number of roots in MS media supplemented with 1.0 mg/L IBA. The rooted plantlets were successfully hardened in a mixture of cocopeat, vermiculite and perlite in ratio of 1:1:1 for 15 days and then transplanted in the main field with survival rate of 95 per cent.