PLANTLET REGENERATION FROM CALLUS INITIATED FROM FLOWER BUDS IN THE WILD-SPECIES ALLIUM-SENESCENS VAR MINOR

Callus regeneration was observed from flower buds of Allium senescens var. minor inoculated in BDS, MS or B5 medium supplemented with 4.4 muM benzyladenine alone or in combination with 4.5 muM 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D), With 2,4-D and kinetin (4.5 muM/4.6 muM) or with 5.3 muM naphthaleneacetic acid. Ovules enlarged initially but the embryogenic tissue degenerated as callus development progressed from the nectar regions of the petals. Shoot buds and leaf primordia developed from the meristematic protuberances that originated from the surface of the callus. BDS medium with 4.5 muM 2,4-D and 13.3 muM BA was most suitable for shoot multiplication. The regenerated shoots were rooted in respective liquid medium without any growth regulators and successfully transferred to soil with 90% survival rate.