Effect of Varying Concentrations of Auxin (2,4-D) on In vitro Callus Initiation Using Leaf of Artemisia annua (L)

Abstract

Study was carried out to determine the effect of varying concentrations of auxin on callus initiation using the leaves Artemisia annua as explants which were sterilized and inoculated into Murashig and Skoog basal medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and incubated in the growth chamber for 4 weeks at 27ºc. Best results were obtained with 1.0 μm/l and 1.5 μm/l concentrations. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant difference among all the treatments (P<0.05) on the parameters studied compared with the control. Consequently, 1.0 μm/l and 1.5 μm/l concentrations of 2,4-D are ideal for callus initiation in A. annua. This provides the means to mass propagation of A. annua through callus initiation and subsequent provision of raw materials required for artemisinin extraction.

Keywords: Artemisia annua, Callus, Auxin, In vitro, 2,4- Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D)