Abstract

A system for induction of callus and plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesisfrom root explants of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. clone Reyan 87-6-62 was evaluated. The influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) including 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and kinetin (KT) on callus induction of root explants from in vitro plantlets were studied. The results showed that the highest induction frequency of embryogenic callus emerged on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/l KT, 0.2 mg/l 6-BA without 2,4-D. Mean of 4 somatic embryos per embryogenic callus were obtained and approximately 11.8% of them developed into plantlets. The regenerated plantlets were successfully transplanted to sand bed. The plant regeneration system established in this study will facilitate mass propagation and may be applied to culture the roots of high-yielding rubber trees.

Key words: Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., root explants, callus, somatic embryogenesis, regeneration.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: PGRs, Plant growth regulators; 2,4-D, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; 6-BA, 6-benzylaminopurine;  KT, kinetin; MS, Murashige and Skoog; NAA, α-naphthalene acetic acid; GA₃, gibberellic acid; IAA, indole-3-acetic acid.