In Vitro Plant Regeneration in Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (l.) Millsp] via Organogenesis

Seedling explants such as cotyledons, leaves and stems from two cultivars of Pigeon pea were assessed for callus induction and shoot bud differentiation. The frequency of callus initiation from cotyledons, leaves and stems was 90, 80 and 85% respectively on MS medium containing different concentrations of BAP, 2,4-D and Kinetin. Cotyledons from the cultivar ICPL-87 displayed 70% frequency of shoot bud initiation in MS medium fortified with 8.9 M BAP and 5.37 M NAA, followed by leaves (60%) and stem (44%) explants. Transfer of these shoot buds onto fresh medium with the same hormonal concentrations resulted in the elongation of shoots. Of the three explants used, cotyledon was found to be better explant for shoot bud regeneration. Kinetin in combination with NAA was superior for shoot elongation and also for the mean number of plantlets formed per explant. Whole plants were recovered with 50% frequency and established in the pots with a survival rate of 75%.