3. Results
3.1. Explant source and regeneration
The sources of explant influenced the shoot bud regeneration at
tested concentration of PGRs. In vitro-derived leaves were found more
suitable explant and responded the best compared to in vivo leaves.
Also the in vitro leaves are available throughout the year without any
seasonal effects and these minimize the contamination. The petiole
base of leaf and cut portion of the midrib was found more responsive
as compared to apical portion of the leaves. The first visible change in
cultured leaves was a slight enlargement in size, then appearance of
small multiple outgrowths; which subsequently developed into shoot
buds. The percentage of explants with shoot bud induction varied
from 7.4 to 73.7% and the number of shoot buds per explants varied
from 4.5 to 14.9 in in vitro explants (Table 1; Fig. 1A) at tested concentration
of PGRs. The percentage of explants with shoot bud induction
varied from 5.0 to 25.5% and number of shoot buds per explants varied
from 4.5 to 14.6 in in vivo explants (data not shown) at tested concentration
of PGRs