Induction of multiple shoots and plant regeneration from ‘accessory buds’ of nodal segments from field-grown mature cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Sprouting of a single shoot was obtained from nodal segments of field-grown cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. DCH-32 and NHH-44) when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium devoid of plant growth regulators. Pruning of the sprouted shoot followed by re-culturing of the explant on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.22 μM benzylaminopurine triggered the dormant ‘accessory buds’ present in the node to proliferate and differentiate into multiple shoots. The shoots elongated on the same medium and rooted on MS basal medium devoid of growth regulators. Plantlets were hardened under greenhouse conditions and transferred to the field. Flowering and boll formation were observed in these plants at maturity. This technique for successful clonal propagation from mature cotton tissues should permit the rapid multiplication of plants selected based on specific phenotypic or genotypic characteristics.