Abstract

Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) is an important forage species among vetches of central Europe, Mediterranean, Near East, Ethiopia, central Asia and India. The study reports in vitro micropropagation of narbon vetch using cotyledon node, shoot tip and zygotic embryo explants on MS medium containing 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 mg/l BAP. The highest number of 4.42 shoots was recorded on cotyledon node explants, which was followed by significantly reduced number of 3.40 and 3.54 shoots per explant on shoot tip and zygotic embryo with two cotyledons, respectively. Zygotic embryo with two cotyledons explant was recalcitrant and slow in regeneration compared to other explants but any concentration of BAP was sufficient for multiple shoot regeneration. Shoot length decreased statistically with increase in each concentration of BAP in the regeneration medium. 65.0% shoots rooted on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA and newly regenerated plants were acclimatized in the greenhouse. 

Key words: In vitro, Narbon vetch, regeneration, Vicia narbonensis L, shoot tip, cotyledon node, zygotic embryo with two cotyledons.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: BAP, 6-Benzylaminopurine; IBA, Indole 3 butyric acid.