Rapid in vitro micropropagation of Cicer arietinum L.

Abstract

A rapid, simple and efficient protocol for <i>in vitro</i> multiple shoot induction and plantlet regeneration was achieved from three different explants of <i>Cicer arietinum</i>. The explants viz shoot tip, cotyledonary node and node were cultured on MS medium fortified with Benzyl Adenine (BA) (0.44&minus;8.88&mu;M) for multiple shoot induction. Multiple shoots proliferation was best observed at 4.44&mu;M BA from all the three explants within two weeks of culture. Of the three different explants tested, cotyledonary nodes produced the maximum number of shoots. Shoot number per explant ranged between 7 and 15. Individual shoots were aseptically excised and subcultured in the same media for shoot elongation. The elongated shoots were transferred to Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) (2.46&minus;12.30&mu;M) for root induction. Rooting was observed within two weeks of culture. Rooted plantlets were successfully hardened under culture conditions and subsequently established in the field conditions. The recorded survival rate of the plants was 76.3%. Plants looked healthy with no visually detectable phenotypic variations.