Leaf explants were cultured on shoot regeneration medium comprised
of MS salts, 0.7% agar, 3% sucrose, and 2.27M thidiazuron
(TDZ) (Reddy et al., 2008). The pH of the medium was adjusted to
5.7 using 1N KOH or HCl, prior to autoclaving at 1.05 kgcm−2 pressure
at 121 ◦C for 20 min. All cultures were maintained at 25±2 ◦C
under a 16/8 h (day/night) photoperiod with light provided by cool
white fluorescent lamps at an intensity of 35–40molm−2 s−1.