Evaluation of different approaches to buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) micropropagation

Abstract

Plant regeneration by different techniques was evaluated in three buckwheat cultivars: indirect regeneration from cotyledons and hypocotyls, direct regeneration by nodal segment cultivation and induction of multiple shoots from seedling apices. Regenerated shoots were obtained in all procedures. The effects of BA (6-benzylaminopurine), media composition and gelling agent were tested. The regeneration efficiency of shoot apex culture was 2.65-3.33 nodal segments/explant. Cotyledon and hypocotyl segments produced 1.25-2.44 shoots per explant plated. Nodal segment cultivation yielded 4.1-4.8 new nodal segments/explant in 4 weeks. Eighty percent of shoots rooted on the basal medium. Rooting was improved (up to 95.6%) by IBA (3-indolebutyric acid) addition to the culture medium. Regenerated plantlets were transferred to the soil. The most efficient and simple micropropagation of buckwheat was nodal segment cultivation on MS medium solidified by agar with the addition of 1 mg/l BA. This method is advisable for rapid multiplication, in vitro conservation or rescue of genetic resources.