Effects of Agar and Isubgol on Adventitous Shoot Regeneration of Woad (Isatis tinctoria)

A practical, effective and economic shoot regeneration system was developed using a cheap alternative gelling substance isubgol for use in in vitro regeneration of woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) plant. The leaf and hypocotyl explants belonging to woad were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium solidified with 6 g/L agar and 15 g/L isubgol containing different concentrations of BAP-NAA. Maximum shoot regeneration of 12.65 and 17.80 shoot per leaf explant on agar and isubgol gelled medium was recorded on MS medium containing 1.00 mg/L BAP+0.25 mg/L NAA and 0.50 mg/L BAP, respectively. Maximum shoot regeneration of 19.87 and 20.55 shoots per hypocotyl explant on agar and isubgol gelled medium was recorded on MS medium containing 0.50 mg/L BAP+0.25 mg/L NAA and 1.00 mg/L BAP, respectively. Isubgol revealed better shoot regeneration used as gelling agent as compared to agar using same nutrient medium. Moreover more shoots were recorded on MS medium containing BAP only compared to medium containing both BAP-NAA. Compared with agar gel, isubgol is cheaper gelling agent, which can be used to reduce the cost of tissue culture. © Friends Science Publishers