Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in <em>Phaseolus acutifolius</em> A. Gray

Abstract

Plant regeneration protocols are a requirement to develop plants transformation systems.The capacity of Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray to regenerate plants from embryogenic callus formation was investigated. Two explants were used to form calli on a culture medium containing thidiazuron and indole-3-acetic acid. The embryonic axes showed better capacity than cotyledons to form embryos. Solar light was the most favourable to develop the in vitro plants. The 32% of somatic embryos with complete germination was achieved. These results indicate that somatic embryos formation and their germination in Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray depended on the explant, culture medium and illumination conditions. In vitro-germinated plantlets were established in the greenhouse. Key words: bean, callus formation, plant regeneration, tissue culture