Effect of Plantlet Maturity and Explant Type on In Vitro Propagation of Radish (Raphanus sativus L. Var. Beeralu)

Abstract

Raphunus sativus L. commonly known as ‘radish’ is a popular vegetable crop used by people all over the world for its culinary and medicinal properties. It used as a common pungent ingredient for various abdominal disorders. Almost all parts of the plant including leaves, seeds and roots are utilized in medicinal purposes. An efficient in vitro propagation method is required to open genetic improvement of radish because conventional plant breeding methods are much time and labor consuming. Due to limited information of an efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Raphunus sativus, especially for Sri Lankan varieties, this study was immerged. Study was carried out to find out the effects of different maturity levels and different types of explants from aseptic seedlings on in vitro regeneration of Raphunus sativus Variety Beeralu. Five different maturity levels of plants; 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days old aseptic leaves, hypocotyl and root explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium with 2.5mg/l BAP (Benzyl Adenine) and 0.1mg/l NAA (1-Naphthaleneacetic Add). Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with five replicates was used for the study. After 30 days the numbers of regenerated shoots were evaluated. ANOVA (DMRT) test shows there were significant effects at p<0.05 level on regeneration of radish with different treatments. Fifteen days age was the best maturity to get maximum regeneration from each explant and fifteen days old hypocotyl was the best explant (6.4 shoots/explant) to regenerate highest number of shoots. .