Abstract
A cost effective procedure was devised for efficient plant propagation of Jatropha curcus L. Direct and indirect in vitro regeneration was witnessed by addition of plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations. Callus cultures were initiated from CL, CNR, HC and RT explants on MS basal medium added with 2, 4-D, BAP and NAA in individual and combined applications. Excellent growth of callus was obtained in all explants with supplementation of BAP (2.0 mg/L) along with NAA (2.0 mg/L), 2, 4-D (0.5 mg/L) being operative for callus induction in only HC explants. These calli were tested for regeneration and shoot and root organogenesis was successfully induced respectively. Hypocotyl callus generated 4.0 shoots under the influence of 0.5 mg/L IBA and 1.5 mg/L BAP while CL explant generated 3.0 shoots per callus with slight change in concentration of BAP in same PGRs mixture (0.5 mg/L IBA and 1.0 mg/L BAP). Along callus mediated organogenic route of regeneration, direct organogenesis was achieved as well. In direct shoot regeneration ten shoots were formed on CNR with 1.5 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L Kin. Incorporation of 0.25 mg/L IAA to the medium containing1.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L Kin enhanced the regeneration percentage of shoots (11 per CNR explants). Root initiation in micro-shoots was attained on MS medium (half-strength) added with 0.1 mg/L IBA. The well-grown plantlets were shifted to peat moss substratum and maintained in field conditions after acclimatization. This regeneration protocol may also support genetic improvement efforts in J. curcas. Abbreviations: CNR (Cotyledonary nodal region), CL (Cotyledonary leaf), HC (Hypocotyl)
