Effects of explant type, culture media and growth regulators on callus induction and plant regeneration of sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.)

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.), belongs to Fabaceae family, is an ornamental herbaceous plant with fragrant flowers and climber. This plant is as a source of genetic for important traits such as resistance to edaphic stresses. In order to keep genetic sources, plant propagation through tissue culture can be effective. To establish an efficient protocol of shoot regeneration from callus, effects of explant type, culture media and plant growth regulators on callus induction and shoot regeneration of sweet pea were evaluated. The results showed that internode was the best explant for callus induction (0.77 g callus per each explant) and MS was the best medium to induce callus formation with 0.78 g callus per each explant. The highest callus induction (1.9 g callus per each explant) was achieved planting internode on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg.l-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2.0 mg.l-1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) after 25 days of culture. Shoots regenerated at the highest frequency with 5.33 shoots when calli were cultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg.l-1 Thidiazuron (TDZ). This protocol provides a basis for future studies on genetic improvement and could be applied to large-scale multiplication systems for commercial nurseries of Lathyrus odoratus L.