ESTIMATION OF FIXED OILS FROM VARIOUS EXPLANTS AND IN VITRO CALLUS CULTURES OF JOJOBA (SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS)

The present investigation was conducted for the estimation of fixed oils from various explants and respective callus cultures in jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). Leaves, nodes, internodes, shoot apices and cotyledons were used as explants. MS media containing different concentrations of growth regulators were used for callus induction. Quantitative estimation of oils of different explants revealed that cotyledonary explant contained highest amount of oil. Leaves contained second highest amount, followed by shoot apices, nodes and internodes. Comparison of oil yield from explants with six or nine weeks-old callus cultures indicated that explants had highest amount of oil content followed by nine and six weeks old callus cultures.