An Efficient Protocol for Plant Regeneration from the Cotyledons of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.)

Plant regeneration was obtained from the cotyledonary petioles of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. HC-2) on MS medium supplemented by different levels of IAA or NAA and BAP. The effects of non-ionic surfactant, Pluronic F-68 have been studied on shoot regeneration of kenaf cotyledons with attached petioles in vitro. The effect was most marked in 0.1% and 0.5% level of Pluronic F-68 in addition to usual plant regeneration medium. These results were found significantly much higher than the control. The difference between control and Surfactant-treated cotyledons was marked. Plants regenerated from the Pluronic-treated cotyledons were found morphologically normal. Pluronic F-68 has been proved to be a growth stimulating agent for increasing the shoot regeneration efficiency of kenaf explants and this system can used for other crop plants.