In vitro induction of multiple buds from cotyledonary nodes of Balsam pear (<i>Momordica charantia</i> L.)

Abstract

In this study, cotyledonary nodes of Changbai, Dabai and Youlv Balsam pear (Momordica charantia L.) were used for tissue culture to establish regeneration system, and the effects of different genotypes of Balsam pear, hormone combinations, seedling ages, dark period and AgNO₃ concentrations on the bud regeneration were compared. The results show that eight-day old seedling was the best for multiple buds regeneration. The combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) had the best effect on the induction of multiple buds. The optimum medium for the induction of multiple buds in Balsam pear was Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mgL^-1 of 6-BA and 0.1 mgL^-1 of IBA. Inducing frequency varied with the genotypes, of which Changbai showed highest percentage of induction. One week dark treatment could increase the rate of shoot regeneration from 76.91 to 80.91%. The addition of AgNO₃ which varied from 1 to 6 mg L^-1 in the medium could not help to stimulated shoot regeneration.

Key words: Balsam pear (Momordica charantia L.), multiple buds, tissue culture, regeneration.