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Effects of Cytokinins on In Vitro Seed Germination and Early Seedling Morphogenesis in Lotus corniculatus L.

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Abstract

We determined the effects of zeatin (ZEA), isopentenyl adenine (2iP), kinetin (KIN), benzyladenine (BA), and thidiazuron (TDZ) on seed germination, elongation of seedling shoots and roots, frequency of regeneration, and the number of regenerants per seedling in Lotus corniculatus L. Sterilized seeds were cultured in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar, and various cytokinins (0, 0.08, 0.22, 0.35, 0.80, 2.20, and 3.50 μM). After 30 days, seedlings were transferred to cytokinin-free medium for another 60 days. All cytokinins stimulated the rate and percentage of seed germination at least twofold in optimum concentrations; TDZ and ZEA were the most active, followed closely by BA, whereas KIN and 2iP stimulated germination in higher concentrations only. Elongation of shoots and roots was strongly inhibited at the lowest TDZ and BA concentrations, whereas ZEA, KIN, and 2iP exerted moderate, dose-dependent inhibition. The frequency of regenerant-producing seeds was highest on ZEA and BA, whereas the greatest number of regenerants per seedling was found on TDZ. It is concluded that the culture of seeds on cytokinin-containing media, followed by transfer to cytokinin-free medium, is a suitable procedure for rapid production of a large number of uniform regenerants. The presumed role of particular cytokinins is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The present work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Environment Protection of the Republic of Serbia (grant 3026).

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  1. Radomirka Nikolić & Nevena Mitić

    Present address: Institute for Biological Research “S. Stanković”, Belgrade University, Bul. Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Institute “Serbia”, Center for Agricultural and Technological Research, 19000, Zaječar

    Radomirka Nikolić, Nevena Mitić & Rade Miletić

  2. Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology and Institute for Biological Research “S. Stanković”, Belgrade University, Bul. Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia

    Mirjana Nešković

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  1. Radomirka Nikolić
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  2. Nevena Mitić
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Correspondence to Radomirka Nikolić.

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Nikolić, R., Mitić, N., Miletić, R. et al. Effects of Cytokinins on In Vitro Seed Germination and Early Seedling Morphogenesis in Lotus corniculatus L.. J Plant Growth Regul 25, 187–194 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-005-0129-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-005-0129-4

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