Abstract:
In vitro germination, callus induction and plant regeneration has been established for
dingetegna, Taverniera abyssinica. The best in vitro germination of seeds and vigorous
seedlings growth as a prerequisite for the development of tissue culture methods was
obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 12 g 1-1
phytoagar
without sucrose. Light green compact calli from node, petiole and shoot meristem
explants were efficiently induced on Gamborg medium containing 0.90 or 1.80 µM
dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) combined with 2.22 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP),
and supplemented with 30 g 1-1
sucrose and 5 g 1-1
phytagel. Callus initiation from shoot
meristems and nodes was faster and occurred with a higher frequency than callus
initiation from petiole and leaf segments (P<0.05). A high frequency of shoot
regeneration (100%) was obtained upon transfer of calli onto regeneration medium
containing 8.88 µM BAP combined with 1.14 µM indoleacetic acid (IAA). Regenerated
shoots were transferred to rooting medium, which turned out to be optimal when half
strength B5 medium was supplemented with 9.84 µM indolebutyric acid (IBA). Upon
transfer to glasshouse, 86% survived and grew vigorously. The development of in vitro
regeneration protocol for T. abyssinica provides the possibility to preserve endangered
germplasm from the increasingly devastating man-made environmental conditions.
Moreover, the method established can be used for micropropagation and genetic
improvement of this medicinally important species.
