Influence of explant types and plant growth regulators on multiple shoot formation from Jatropha curcas

Jatropha curcas is a potential non-edible biofuel-producing crop and is also important for its medicinal properties. The seed oil content varies from 4 to 40%, and thus the seed viability and rate of germination are low. Various explant types of J. curcas (stem, axillary bud, and shoot tip) were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different combinations 0.5 mg/l of BA and 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/l IBA. The results showed that MS medium supplemented with BA (0.5 mg/l) and IBA (0.25 mg/l) provided the highest number of shoots at 5.1, 5.3, and 5.25 per responding explant from stem, axillary bud and shoot tip explants, respectively, after 30 days of culture. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IBA after 30-40 days of culture.