Callus induction and regeneration responses of four local tomato varieties (solanum Lycopersicum L.)‎

Abstract EN

The study was carried out at Sweida research center/ the General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR)/ Syria during 2018 and 2019 in order to develop an efficient protocol for callus induction and plant regeneration of four local tomatoes varieties.

Cotyledons, hypocotyls and root crown explants were extracted from well developed seedlings and used as explants to evaluate their capacity for callus induction.

Different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRS) were added to MS medium to evaluate their efficacy on callus induction and shoot initiation.

The best response for callus induction was observed from root crown cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP+0.2 mg/L NAA.

Root crown explants gave the highest callogenesis compared to cotyledons and hypocotyls in all studied varieties where the mean callus induction frequency was 88.47, 64.47 and % 45.73 respectively.

Hard friable, nodular and dark green callus was obtained from root crown explants with a mean callus fresh weight (1.866 g) and size (355.85 mm³).

No significant differences were recorded among tomato varieties in respect to callogenesis, even though Baskanta recorded a higher callus induction frequency compared to other varieties.

Furthermore, the highest percentage of shoot regeneration (78.71%) and the highest number of shoots (4.45 shoots) were recorded on (2 mg/L BAP+0.5 mg/L IAA).

Daher-Aljabal gave the best response for regeneration in terms of percentage (50.38%) and shoot number per callus (3.39).

While the tallest shoot was 0.373 cm in Brieh with no significant differences among varieties.