In vitro adventitious shoot formation from cotyledon explants of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Excised cotyledons from mature embryos of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) developed adventitious shoots from the proximal end when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented optimally with 22.2 muM BAP and 3% sucrose. Initiation occurred only at the proximal end of the cotyledon. Differentiation of roots occurred on the same medium after the initiation of leaves. Histology revealed that there was no vascular connection between regenerated shoots and roots. Isolated shoots rooted after treatment on half-strength MS liquid medium containing IBA (122.6 muM) for 72 It. Shoots were transferred to half-strength MS solid medium containing IBA (4.9 muM) and IAA (5.7 muM). About 55% of in vitro raised shoots developed roots. This procedure was first applicable to the three commercial high-yielding cultivars of cashew. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.