In vitro PLANTLET REGENERATION APTITUDE OF SIX MANDARINS VARIETIES FROM CULTURED LEAF SEGMENT (Citrus reticulata)

Developing programs for genetic citrus improvement with plant biotechnology enables to use tools of precocious in vitro selection and somatic hybridization, making new opportunities in exploring citrus germplasm variability. This study aims at evaluating the effect of hormonal composition of the medium on friable callus induction, and regeneration of plants by organogenesis from calluses. Leaf segment of six varieties of mandarins was cultured on MT medium supplemented with growth regulators (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)] and cytokinin [6-benzyl amino purine (BAP)] were investigated in order to determine the suitable callus induction. The four varieties; namely, Murcott, Temple, Anana and Ortanique demonstrated a higher callus induction capacity. The combinations 2.4-D alone or combined with the BAP are the most reactive which led 60% of explants to form callus. These same culture media showed a gradual increase in the percentages of root appearance or caulinary neoformations. The shoots were rooted in the medium containing ANA (1 mg/l) Well-developed seedlings with healthy roots were successfully acclimated. Developing a callus induction and regeneration protocol would lead to mass propagation and in vitro production of seedlings with somaclonal variations.