Abstract

This study aims to observe the effect of genotype, hormone and culture conditions on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) callus induction and indirect plant regeneration. Calli were obtained from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of five different sunflower genotypes; Trakya 80, Trakya 129, Trakya 259, Trakya 2098 and Viniimk 8931, which are commercially important for Turkey. Seeds germinated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media contained no hormones. Hypocotyl and cotyledon explants were cultured on MS media supplemented with 1 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) and different percentage of callus inductions were obtained. Calli were cultured on MS + 1 mg/l BA (6-benzylaminopurine) and 0.5 mg/l NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid). Some genotypes showed high regeneration response while others showed lower on the same media with hypocotyl and cotyledon derived calli. This study showed that genotypic differences affect callus induction and plant regeneration in sunflower tissue culture studies.

Key words: Sunflower, tissue culture, callus, hypocotyl, cotyledon, organogenesis.