Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from stem and petiole explants of Indian chicory (<i style="">Cichorium intybus</i> L.)

Abstract

An efficient protocol has been developed for rapid propagation of Indian chicory (<i style="">Cichorium intybus L.</i>) through somatic embryo development. Indirect somatic embryogenesis was induced through nodal stem and petiole explants, cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations of 2,4-D, NAA or IAA. Callus was induced from both the explants after 3 wk of inoculation. Subsequently, calli were sub-cultured on MS medium containing different auxin/cytokinin ratios that influenced the intensity of embryo formation, germination and ability to regenerate plants. Somatic embryogenesis was more intensive in medium with higher concentration of Kn (1.5 mg L^-1) and lower concentration of IAA (0.5 mg L^-1) supplemented with vitamin-free casein hydrolysate (500 mg L^-1). After sub-culture, the embryoids were matured onto a fresh MS medium supplemented with Kn (1.5 mg L^-1) + IAA (0.1 mg L^-1) + IBA (1.0 mg L^-1) + CH (500 mg L^-1). The germination of embryos into shoots and less developed roots occurred on the same medium with slight change in IBB concentration (0.5 mg L^-1). Further, root formation occurred in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L^-1IBA.