Sisal plant regeneration via organogenesis

Callus was initiated from in vitro grown immature leaf and ex vitro grown mature leaf and rhizome explants of Agave sisalana Perr. ex. Engelm, on MS medium containing 2,4-D (9.05 muM) and kinetin (4.6 muM) or 2,4-D (9.05 muM), kinetin (4.6 muM) and CH (1000 mg l(-1)) or mod. MS (NH4NO3, 1500 mg l(-1)) containing 2,4-D (9.05 muM) and kinetin (4.6 muM). Light was essential for callus formation which, however, was different in three types of explants on three different media compositions. Increasing NH(4)(+)had a negative impact while addition of CH had a positive impact on callus formation. Shoot regeneration from callus from CH-supplemented medium only was achieved for rhizome and immature leaf tissues. The highest rate of regeneration was obtained with BA (26.6 muM) as the sole hormone. Shoot buds g(-1) callus varied according to BA concentrations. Shoot proliferation rate increased on half-strength MS medium containing BA (8.9 muM). Microshoots developed on MS medium containing BA (2.22 muM) and GA(3) (1.44 muM) and finally rooted on MS medium containing IAA (11.42 muM). Acclimatized rooted plantlets are growing satisfactorily in ex vitro. This is the first report on plant regeneration via organogenesis of A. sisalana.