Abstract
Jatropha curcas L. is peculiar treasured tree species for its uses and considerable economic potential as a biofuel plant. Propagation using seeds is limited by low viability and germination hence unable to provide high quality planting material for sustainable use. To achieve mass production of J. curcas, regeneration from leaf discs and petioles using different treatments of plant growth regulators (PGRs) including 6- benzyl aminopurine (BAP), Kinetin (KIN), Indole -3-acetic acid (IAA) and Thiadiazuron (TDZ) was explored. Maximum callus formation efficiency (85.00%) and the shoot proliferation per explants (8.25) was observed on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L BAP, 0.6 mg/L KIN, 0.3 mg/L IAA and 0.1 mg/L TDZ. Rooting was induced from elongated shoots cultured on half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different regimes of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). MS supplemented with 3.5 mg/L IBA and 3.5 mg/L NAA gave optimum root formation of 2.5 cm on JCO4, JN1, JE4 and JRV1 accessions. The rooted plants were established in forest soil, sand and manure mixed in the ratio of 2: 1:1 in the green house with 20% survival rate. This successful in vitro regeneration is vital for seedling system for mass production. Key words: Plant growth regulators, callus, shoot induction, root formation.
Highlights
The genus Jatropha, which is perceived to comprise approximately 170 known species, is distributed in the tropical and subtropical world
After 6 days mass of undifferentiated cells originated from petiole ends exposed to the medium whereas on leaf discs calli were formed all over the surface on all four groups of culture media used (Figure 1a and b)
In this study it was observed that combination of benzyl aminopurine (BAP), KIN, Indole -3-acetic acid (IAA) and TDZ is essential for high frequency induction of callus and multiple shoots
Summary
The genus Jatropha, which is perceived to comprise approximately 170 known species, is distributed in the tropical and subtropical world. Jatropha has been considered as a plant for biofuel production mainly due to its high seed oil content of 40 to 50% and non-competing demand with edible oil supplies (Rajore et al, 2007). With the recent increase in fuel prices there is an increased demand in the use of Jatropha oil to alleviate energy crisis. Jatropha is desired due to its drought hardiness, rapid growth, easy propagation, low cost of seeds, oil content and short maturity period with wide range of environmental adoption (Gubitz et al, 1999; Jones and Miller, 1991). The oil is used in manufacturing candle, varnishes, soap and treatment of several diseases among others uses (Rajore et al, 2007).
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