Effect of growth regulators and explant types on callus induction in Telfairia occidentalis Hook F

Abstract

Different concentrations of growth regulators and three types of explants were investigated for their efficiency on callus induction in Telfairia occidentalis with a view of providing baseline information for the development of a callus initiation protocol. Three concentrations of kinetin (KN) (0.1, 3.3 and 5.0 mg/L) in combination with two concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) (2.0 and 5.0 mg/L) and two concentrations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.25 and 0.5 mg/L) in combination with 0.25 mg/L benzyl adenine (BA) were tested for their effect on callus induction from stem, leaf and nodal explants collected from field-grown Telfairia plants. Media supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with kinetin gave the highest cumulative percent callus induction. With regards to cumulative percentage callus induction and total callus produced, media supplemented with BA alone was better than media supplemented with kinetin alone.  Irrespective of the growth regulator type, percent callus induction was not significantly different among explant types. The study concluded that, 2,4-D is a better auxin for high callus induction in T. occidentalis explants as compared to NAA. However, there is still a need to test the effect of 2,4-D in combination with BA on callus induction.

Keywords: Telfairia occidentalis, callus initiation, 2,4-D, BA, kinetin

African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(20), 2015-2021