Micropropagation in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Multiple shoots in Arachis hypogaea L. could be induced from the de-embryonated cotyledons (DC), embryo-axes (EA) and mature whole seeds (MWS) in MS medium supplemented with different levels of benzylaminopurine (BAP). DC was the most suitable explant with 57.9 % induction and more than 40 shoots per explant in 31.6 % of cases. Though EA and MWS had high percent induction at or above 30 mg dm(-3) BAP, only 10 - 14 shoots per explant were observed. In DC, multiple shoots were confined to the proximal end and in EA they originated from the axillary bud region. Histological Studies on DC confirmed the origin of shoots from the region of attachment with the embryo. Shoots could be rooted in MS medium containing 2 g dm(-3) charcoal and 200 mg dm(-3) casein hydrolysate. Sixty percent of the rooted plantlets could be established in the field.