Abstract

IN VITRO CALLUS INDUCTION AND PLANTLET REGENERATION OF BITTER APPLE (CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS)

Dr. Alaa Jabbar Taha*, Halla Hassan Mutasher

ABSTRACT

Protocol for in vitro culture by using stems and leaf explant of the medicinal plant species, (Citrullus colocynthis) found in west and south of Iraq in open desert habitat. Using the MS medium supplemented with plant growth hormones, like NAA and BAP at concentration of 0.5 and 2mg/l respectively was found to be the optimum for higher frequency of callus formation from stem approximately 88% and 83% for leaf in combination (NAA=1, BA=2)mg/l. Also found the combination (NAA=0.5, BA=1.5) mg/l there was high amount of fresh weight (0.8147g), and in combination (NAA=1, BA=2)mg/l, high amount of dry weight(0.0949g). Maximum number of shoot (> 10) was observed in MS medium fortified with (BA=1 and NAA=1.5) mg/l (MR4).

Keywords: Citrullus colocynthis, BA, NAA, callus induction, fresh and dry weight.