IN-VITRO REGULATION OF MORPHOGENESIS IN PEANUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA L)

Callusing, caulogenesis, in vitro flowering and somatic embryogenesis were induced from the base of leaflets derived from mature embryos of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) by altering the hormonal composition of the Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium. A combination of 4 mg/l alpha napththaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was optimum for inducing caulogenic buds. The caulogenic buds proliferated in medium with 3 mg/l BAP. Differentiation of these buds to shoots was achieved in MS basal medium with 0.5 mg/l each of BAP and kinetin (KN). Shoot buds and flower buds were produced when caulogenic buds were cultured on medium containing 1 mg/l BAP and 1 mg/l KN, prior to elongation. Clonally propagated plantlets derived from axillary buds elongated, formed roots and were grown to maturity in soil. Embryogenic mass formation was induced from the leaf base in the presence of 20 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Somatic embryos developed upon reducing 2,4-D to 3 mg/l.