In vitro morphogenesis from cotyledon and epicotyl explants and flow cytometry distinction between landraces of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc], an under-utilised grain legume

Abstract

The morphogenetic competence of Bambara groundnut was assessed for different landraces, explant sources and media compositions. With cotyledon explants, the best callusing occurred on a medium containing 3 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA, while roots were produced with 3–5 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA. Shoots regenerated (∼6%) from cotyledons on media with BAP alone (3–5 mg/l) or combined with 0.01–0.1 mg/l NAA. Flowers were regenerated on 5 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA, without any intervening callus phase. With epicotyls, the highest callusing was on 3 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA, and shoots regenerated (15–20%) on 3 mg/l BAP alone or with NAA at concentrations that depended on the landrace studied. Regenerated shoots rooted on hormone-free medium, and plants transferred to the greenhouse were all morphologically normal and fertile. Flow cytometry showed that most regenerants were diploid and in addition permitted to distinguish between landraces according to their relative nuclear DNA content. This is the first report on de novo regeneration in vitro of Bambara groundnut, an important yet neglected legume crop.