Regeneration of Prunus salicina Lindl (Japanese plum) from hypocotyls of mature seeds

Plant regeneration of Prunus salicina (Japanese plum) using mature seeds was studied and evaluated. Shoots were effectively induced from hypocotyl slices of mature seeds on media containing cytokinins. Among three plant growth regulators evaluated, thidiazuron (TDZ) was the most effective for shoot induction overall. Shoots were also induced using 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), but the effectiveness was reduced at low concentrations. Low regeneration was induced using kinetin. Three plum varieties were evaluated and the regeneration appeared to be genotype dependent. Induced shoots elongated, roots formed, and plantlets developed upon transfer of the shoots to the rooting medium. Primary shoots, when sub-cultured on fresh induction medium, produced multiple shoots, and such multiplication could continue for more cycles. The plantlets were transferred to soil, and the full plants were readily recovered in a greenhouse. The regeneration process was relatively fast as plants could be recovered in 4 to 5 mo. after the culture initiation. © 2007 The Society for In Vitro Biology.