Effects of explants and growth regulators in garlic callus formation and plant regeneration

We intended to evaluate the effects of different explants and growth regulators on callus induction and plant regeneration in garlic (Allium sativum L.). Furthermore, we intended to differentiate among different morphological types of callus by light microscopy and to relate them with their abilities to regenerate plants in the red-garlic cultivar 069. A factorial design with BDS-basal Dunstan and Short (1977)-medium, as a control and supplemented with 0.042, 0.42 and 4.24 mu M picloram or with 0.045, 0.45 and 4.5 mu M 2,4-D, in both cases with and without 4.43 mu M N-6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), was used. The cultures were grown in darkness at 25 +/- 2 degrees C and they were subcultured over a 6-month period. Basal plates and meristems were highly responsive explants, while immature umbels and root-tips were less responsive ones, as indicated by percentage of induced callus, growing callus and regenerating callus. The best response was 41% regenerating callus with 0.045 mu M 2,4-D and BAP from basal plates while 57, 56 and 20% regenerating callus were obtained with 0.45 mu M 2,4-D from meristems, root-tips and immature umbels, respectively. Also, these treatments showed a higher percentage of nodular and embryogenic callus (type I). Thus, it can be concluded that the use of meristems and 2,4-D will enhance callus production and quality, increase plant regeneration and allows to develop a protocol suitable for further transformation experiments in garlic.