Optimization of in vitro Regeneration of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) using Computational Models

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is the most preferable cultivated crop in the World and can grow on poor soil with water scarcity. More than 80.0% of its cultivation is confined to the Sub-Saharan African continent. However, it is now one of the most preferable crops in Asia and Europe due to its low nutritional and water demand during cultivation under field conditions. In this study, the Bodrum Red cultivar of cowpea was used for in vitro regeneration. The 9-0 days old half cotyledonary node explant was used and placed on different concentrations of Benzylaminopurine (BAP), Indole-butyric acid (IBA), and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The results were analyzed by ANOVA and response surface methodology (RSM). The ANOVA analysis revealed the maximum shoots from the medium enriched with 1.0 mg/L BAP with shot counts ranging from 1.17-3.11. The results were further analyzed by surface regression analysis which revealed the significant impact of NAA on callus formation. The results were also analyzed through Pareto charts and normal plots which confirmed the significant role of BAP and NAA on in vitro regeneration. The use of a response optimizer revealed the maximum shoot counts of 3.0 per explant from the medium supplemented with BAP. Results revealed the significance of RSM for optimizing input factors precisely for multiple input factors simultaneously. Advanced biotechnological approaches like genetic engineering and marker-assisted selection could enhance cowpea resilience to environmental conditions, ensuring its sustainability and adaptability across diverse agroecological zones with the aid of RSM