<i>In Vitro</i>Culture and Plant Regeneration<i>in Vicia faba</i>subsp. Equina (var. Spring Blaze)

Abstract

Explants of stem, leaves, roots, and cotyledons from etiolated axenically grown Vicia faba seedlings were cultured on a range of media. Shoot organogenesis was only obtained with nodal stem and cotyledonary node explants when cultured on MS medium with 3% sucrose, 2.0 mg 1−1 BAP and 02 mg 1−1 NAA. Callus proliferation accompanied shoot organogenesis from nodal stem explants. Successive subculture of nodal stem callus resulted in proliferation of regenerative callus which contained several shoot bud initials. The capacity for shoot regeneration from this callus was maintained for 9 months. Histological studies reveal de novo formation of meristematic centres in callus and their further development into bud primordia. High frequency rooting of these adventitious shoots was obtained on half-strength MS medium with 1.5% sucrose, 0.1 mg 1−1 NAA and 0.5 mg 1−1 kinetin.