Adenine sulphate induced high frequency shoot organogenesis in callus and in vitro flowering of Cichorium intybus L. cv. Focus - a potent medicinal plant

Abstract

An efficient protocol has been developed for the in vitro plant regeneration and flowering achieved from young leaf explants of chicory (Cichorium intybus L. cv. Focus). The callus induction and shoot multiplication was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) and  Gamborg^s (B₅) media supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of Indole-3-acetic acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, 6-Furfurylaminopurine and Adenine sulphate. The highest percentage of callus induction and multiple shoots proliferation was observed on MS+B₅ medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (6.66 µM) + indole-3-acetic acid (2.852 µM) + adenine sulphate (1.360 µM). For root induction regenerated shoots were transferred to MS+B₅ medium containing Indole-3-acetic acid, Indole-3-butyric acid and α-Naphthalene acetic acid that were developed roots. In vitro flowers were also noticed in the in vitro raised plantlets in the same medium under 16 h light and 8 h dark condition. The regenerated plantlets have been successfully established in vermiculite and subsequently shifted to the field.