The objectives were to induce direct organogenesis of squash cotyledons and to study the regeneration of complete plantlets from adventitious shoot. Cotyledon explants of 20-day seedlings were cultured in MS (MURASHIGE & SKOOG, 1962) medium supplemented with 30g L-1 of sucrose and 7g L-1 of agar. The 6-benzilaminopurina (BAP) concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0mg L-1 were tested. Apical and nodal explants from adventitious shoots were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 30g L-1 of sucrose and 7g L-1 of agar. Increasing BAP concentrations in the MS medium enhance the percentage of adventitious shoot and reduce the percentage of root organogenesis of squash cotyledon explants. Apical and nodal explants from adventitious shoot regenerated plantlets with roots in MS medium without growth regulators. High percentage of plantlet rooting depends upon the size of the explants.
Cucurbita pepo; 6-benzilaminopurine; in vitro culture and rooting; explants
