LOW SUGAR AND OSMOTIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOOT REGENERATION FROM LEAF PIECES OF SOLANUM-MELONGENA L

Uniform leaf pieces of egg-plant, Solanum melongena L., were cultured in Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 2 mg l-1 kinetin and varying sugar levels. Glucose or fructose at 44 mM was optimal in inducing shoot regeneration compared to sucrose. Sucrose at 11 and 22 mM induced more shoot organogenesis than at lower or higher levels. An additional 22 mM mannitol with 22 mM sucrose enhanced shoot regeneration significantly more than 22 mM sucrose alone. The dual role of sugar as carbon and osmotic source in shoot regeneration from leaf explants of egg-plant is discussed.