PLANT REGENERATION FROM PULSE-TREATED LONGITUDINALLY SLICED HALF COTYLEDON NODE EXPLANTS OF TURKISH OCHRUS CHICKLING [LATHYRUS OCHRUS (L.) DC]

Abstract

The forage legume ochrus chickling [Lathyrus ochrus (L.) D.C.] which is distributed in the Mediterranean region, is gaining importance in terms of economy and agriculture in Turkey. However, the full potential of the legume has yet to be realized due to the presence of neurotoxin, ss-N-oxalyl-L-a, ss-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) causing lathyrism. This study aimed to develop an efficient micropropagation system using longitudinally sliced cotyledon node explants for use in Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in the future. The results show that the maximum number of shoots per explant was achieved on MS medium solidified with 8 g/l isubgol gelled medium containing 0.30 mg/l BA-0.2 mg/l NAA. Well-developed shoots were rooted by pulse treatment with 50 mg/l IBA and culturing on an 8 g/l isubgol gel solidified MS medium. The results showed 60% rooting in the treated shoots. The rooted plantlets were transferred to pots containing sand and organic matter and acclimatized.