An Efficient and Reproducible in vitro Plant Regeneration from Leaf Discs in Pear Cultivars (Pyrus spp.).

Abstract

Leaves derived from in vitro-grown apical buds were used to explore the conditions required for induction of adventitious buds and regeneration of shoots. High efficiency of shoot regeneration was obtained with half-strength MS medium (1/2MS) for Pyrus pyrifolia, and Nitsch-Nitsch (NN) medium for Pyrus communis cultivars. In both species, the basal region of the leaf was more suitable than the distal region for callus and shoot bud formation. High concentration (5 mg l-1) of thidiazuron efficiently induced callus formation and shoot bud initiation in both species. The size, colour and shape of calli were the important factors for successful shoot regeneration. Higher frequencies of callus production and rooting from regenerated shoots were observed with increasing indolebutyric acid concentration in rooting medium. However, there was a significant genotypic difference in adventitious shoot and root regeneration of each pear cultivar.