The Effect of H3BO3 and 2,4-D on in vitro Callus and Somatic Embryo Formation of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia L.)

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is an economically important medicinal and vegetable crop plant that is rarely grown in Turkey under natural conditions. This study aimed to develop an in vitro somatic embryo regeneration method using dissimilar concentrations of H3BO3 and 2,4-D on leaf and stem explants of the Gazipasa bitter melon ecotype. Boron is an essential microelement for plants, and its deficiency or excess creates significant problems in plant development. Within the scope of the study, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg l(-1) concentrations of H3BO3 and 1.0 and 2.0 mg l(-1) 2,4-D were applied to the leaf and stem explants. The results showed 100.00% and 60.00% callus formation on leaf explants after two weeks and stem explants after 3 weeks using MS medium amended with 0.5 mg l(-1) H3BO3 and 2.0 mg l(-1) 2,4-D. Somatic embryo formation percentages were dependent on the type of explant. Their recovery to healthy plantlets was obtained on MS medium. The somatic embryos at the globular and heart stages comprised identifiable protoderm layer formation that was not observed if H3BO3 was not added into the cultures and the embryos were fused with hyperhydricity. The study meets the objectives of the research.