Influence of growth regulators and explants on shoot regeneration in carnation

The influence of growth regulators, explants and their interactions on in vitro shoot bud formation from callus was studied in Dianthus caryophyllus L. The leaf and internode explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations of growth regulators. The highest callus induction was observed with 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 1 mg/l benzyl adenine (BA). Out of twenty seven shoot regeneration media tested, only 2 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ) and zeatin alone or in combination with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and/or indole acetic acid (IAA) could differentiate calli. The highest average number of shoots was observed with 2 mg/l TDZ and 1 mg/l IAA. Significant differences were observed in calli producing shoots and number of shoots per callus in the explants of leaf and internode. The shoots were elongated and multiplied on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BA and solidified with 1% agar. The shoots were rooted and hardened with 76% survival success in pots after six weeks of transfer to the pots.