Effects of medium support and gelling agent in the tissue culture of tobacco (<i>Nicotiana tabacum</i>)

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effects of different media supports, brands of agar and gelling agents in the tissue culture of Nicotiana tabacum. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in terms of fresh weight, dry weight and number of shoots produced between the supports used. Best response was obtained with liquid agitated medium. However, there were no significant differences (P<0.05) between the gelling agents in terms of fresh weight, dry weight and number of shoots produced. Investigation in the response of two different cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum, viz Amarello and Virginia NC 95, to different support media, revealed significant differences (P<0.05), especially in their regeneration capability in liquid agitated medium. The gelling agents were also analyzed for their chemical properties. Large differences were observed between the gelling agents. The non-agar gel, gelrite, one of the best gelling agent, had a high content of ash, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc compared to the others.

Keywords : Media supports, gelling agents, agar brands, tissue culture, chemical analysis.