For direct induction of PLBs, the explants were cultured on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) (½ MS) medium supplemented with N6-benzyladenine (BA, 0.5-2.5 mg l-1) and Kinetin (Kn, 0.5-2.5 mg l-1)individually and in combination with a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 0.2-0.5 mg l-1) along with 2% sucrose, 10% (v/v) coconut water (CW), 2 g l-1 peptone and 1 g l-1 activated charcoal.