Somatic embryogenesis, callus production, and plantlet growth in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

Plant parts (internode segments, young leaves, apical-axillary meristems, petioles and immature inflorescences) isolated from the fresh, full-leaved and juicy sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) were used as explants in this study. The explants were cultured on B5 medium with 5.4 mu M or 10.7 mu M NAA combined with 0, 0.9, 1.4, or 2.3 mu M of kinetin and 0, 0.9, 1.3, or 2.2 mu M of BAP to determine the effects of explant types and medium compositions on the callus induction and plant regeneration. Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis, as well as direct shoot regeneration from the explants, were observed depending on the explant types and medium composition. The effect of the phytohormone type and concentration on the callus induction rate was under explant dependency. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration was achieved from apical-axillary meristems on B5 medium with 10.7 mu MNAA and 2.3 mu M kinetin.