Direct axillary shoot regeneration from the mature seed explant of the hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)

Abstract

The hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) is a climbing, prostrate or trailing legume grown as forage.It fixes atmospheric nitrogen, reduces soil erosion and provides an instant mulch. Multiple axillary shoot regeneration from a mature seed explant (zygotic embryo with two cotyledons) was obtained on MS medium containing 0.05 - 1.6 mg/l TDZ with or without 0.10 mg/l IBA. The frequency (%) of shoot regeneration ranged from 45.83-75.00% with a maximum number of 28.6 shoots per explant on MS medium containing 0.20 mg/l TDZ-0.10 mg/l IBA. The mean shoot length decreased proportionately with each increase in TDZ concentration irrespective of the IBA concentration in the culture medium. However, comparing the two types of regeneration media, longer shoots were recorded in the presence of IBA in the culture medium. Regenerated shoots were pulse treated with 50 mg/l IBA for 5, 10 and 20 min for rooting.