In vitro regeneration of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Abstract

In vitro plantlet regeneration in the main commercial variety of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn. cv Tai So) in Mauritius was achieved from callus cultures derived from young, tender leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Callogenesis was obtained in all media supplemented with auxin, but was most prominent in media supplemented with 2,4 – D ( 1.5 mgL^-1) with or without benzylamino purine and kinetin. Nodular compact callus obtained in the 2,4 – D and BAP treatment proliferated and differentiated into shoots .When transferred to MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.0 mgL^-1) and IAA (3.0 mgL^-1). Regenerated shoots produced prominent roots when transferred to MS medium supplemented with IBA (2.0 mgL^-1). Regeneration was predominantly through organogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis was observed when callus growing on MS medium supplemented with 2,4–D (1.5 mgL^-1) was transferred to medium devoid of 2,4-D.

Key Words: Litchi chinensis, micropropagation, somatic embyogenesis.

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(11) 2004: 576-584