Effects of Culture Media and Explant Types on Callus Induction of Physic Nut (<I>Jatropha curcas </I> L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two explant types; petioles and hypocotyls of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), and different concentrations of N⁶ benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-yl-butyric acid (IBA) on inducing callus formation under aseptic condition. A MS medium supplemented with the growth regulators (such as MS + 0.5 mg/l BA + 0.1 mg/l IBA; Medium I and MS + 1 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l IBA; Medium II) was employed in this study. In both explant types, growth regulator concentrations and  the interaction between these variables significantly affected the formation of callus. The fresh weight of calli induced from hypocotyls on Medium II were highest and the calli had compact characteristics. The weight of calli derived from hypocotyl explants was higher than those from petiole explants. Medium II induced more compact calli than Medium I in a culture both before and after the first callus subculturing at 30 days.