Regeneration of plantlets from leaf explants of spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to develop a protocol for rapid callus induction and plant regeneration of spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.). Leaf explants of three spine gourd genotypes viz.RMD-2, RMD-3 and Indira Kankoda-1 (released variety) were cultured .The explants were cultured on to MS media supplemented with different combinations of BAP, Kinetin and NAA. Combinations of MS + BAP (1 mg/lit) was best for callus induction and MS + BAP (0.5 mg/lit) + Kinetin (0.5 mg/lit) was best for multiple shooting induction for all genotypes i.e. RMD-2, RMD-3 and Indira Kankoda-1. On the other hand hormone free MS media with charcoal (2gm/lit) was found best for rooting in only one genotype named Indira Kankoda-1. The regenerated shoots were rooted in MS0 medium and successfully transplanted to field during Kharif 2018.