Carrot (Daucus carota L.) In Vitro Regeneration

Experiments were carried out for optimization of conditions for morphogenic callus production and regeneration of carrot (Daucus carota L.) using four cultivars cultivated in Iran. Hypocotyl segments were put on media supplemented with 0.2 mg·L^-1 2,4-D for callus initiation and proliferation. Small portions of callus (25 mg) were cut and transferred to new media with different concentrations of 2,4-D including 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mg·L^-1. MS (Murashige & Skoog 1962) and MSm (Masuda et al. 1981) media were used in the experiments to identify the differences between these two media according to callus, embryoid and plantlet production.

Obtained results showed that low level of 2,4-D (0.2 mg·L^-1) was more effective in morphogenic callus production although higher amounts of it (0.5 mg·L^-1 and 1 mg·L^-1) caused more callus growth. Kinetin in concentration of 0.1 mg·L^-1 was more effective for regeneration than BAP used in concentration 1 mg·L^-1 especially according to embryoid production. MSm medium was more useful than MS for callus production and regeneration of carrot plantlets. Among tested cultivars Nantes Improved had more capability to produce viable plantlets.