Regeneration, Micropropagation, Callus Cultures and Somatic Embryogenesis of Common Sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Abstract

The germination ability and effect of explant age, plant growth regulators and culture conditions on callus production and somatic embryogenesis explants of Salvia officinalis plants was investigated. Germination of seed, callus production and somatic embryogenesis could be induced on explants cultured for 3 weeks on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.8–1.8 mM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (Kin), 10.5–21 mM 1-naphthalenacetic acid and 6benzyladenine or 1mM TDZ. Only explants from young plants (with six to eight leaves) responded to the culture treatments and, in general, low light intensities (50 mmol m–2 s–1) favoured callus formation and induction of somatic embryos. Somatic embryos were further developed on the same medium.