Effect of Cytokinin on Multiple Shoot Regeneration in Shoot Apical Culture of Physalis minima L. - An Important Fruit and Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Shoot apices of Physalis minima L. were cultured on fifteen full strength MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of cytokinins (BAP, KIN and TDZ). Tissue culture responses namely elongation of existing shoot and differentiation of multiple shoots were observed from the cultured explants. The establishment of cultured explants was not affected by the cytokinin concentration in the medium but overall shoot apices showed better establishment on medium supplemented with BAP than other cytokinins. Majority of established explants showed elongation of existing shoot followed by differentiation of multiple shoots. The maximum frequency of elongation of existing shoot (86.13 ± 0.94) was observed in MS 2 which has BAP at 1.0 mg/L concentration and minimum was observed on MS 10 (KIN 2.5mg/L). The frequency of multiple shoot differentiation was less than shoot elongation and medium with BAP (1.0mg/l) showed the best response of 75.15 ± 0.52 percent. The multiple shoots developed directly from the shoot apices, without the formation of callus. Thus, the results of this investigation can be used to develop a very efficient micropropagation protocol for this economically important plant.