Direct organogenesis from leaflet explants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

High frequency direct organogenesis from immature leaflet explants has been achieved in two locally cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties namely, Tridana Badam and Jhingha Badam. In both the varieties, shoot buds were found to develop from leaflet on MS medium containing 5.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l Kn within four-five weeks. Proliferation of regenerated shoot buds, formation of shoots and their elongation took place in the same medium. Regenerated shoots formed healthy roots when they were further grown on half strength of MS medium supplemented with either 0.2 mg/l NAA or 0.2 mg/l IAA. Regenerated plantlets took four weeks to develop sufficient roots for transplantation to soil. The transplanted plantlets produced viable seeds at maturity. Histological investigation demonstrated the direct organogenesis from the leaflet explants without the intervention of callus tissue.