Evaluation of in vitro regeneration of cowpea and soybean.

Abstract

A good potential for in vitro regeneration is needed to produce useful plants in genetic improvement programs. Various protocols have been used to improve specifically soybean and cowpea cultivars regeneration. In this study, one cultivar of soybean, “Doko”, and four cowpea cultivars (Epace 10, João Paulo II, Setentão and Pitiuba) served to provide explants for in vitro culture. Zygotic embryos and cotyledons extracted from seeds and segments of hypocotyls taken from germinated seedlings have been cultivated in supplemented environment with different growth regulators (2,4-D, TDZ and BA). MS  environment containing BA and 2, 4-D (5 mM) results on a better callus and bud formation on zygotic embryos and cotyledons explants of the cultivar “Doko”. Bud formation from zygotic explants of this cultivar was higher in average in relation to the four cultivars of cowpea cultured in a supplemented environment with BA (6. 6 mM) and sucrose (3%). These in vitro morphogenetic responses don’t allow a further utilization of these materials for genetic improvement.