Responses of peanut somatic embryos to thidiazuron

Abstract

Induction of both somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in presence of thidiazuron is reported in peanut tissues. However the histological evidence of thidiazuron induced somatic embryogenesis was unclear. Thidiazuron triggered multiple shoot differentiation in the plumule of the embryos. Keeping in view the ability of thidiazuron to induce both organogenesis and embryogenesis in peanut tissues, experiments were conducted to define the pathway of morphogenesis in the plumule of rooted somatic embryos. On exposure to thidiazuron, projections appeared from the plumule. These projections closely resemble the somatic embryos. However histological examination revealed that these are caulogenic buds and not somatic embryos. In concurrence with the earlier reports on thidiazuron induced organogenesis it is concluded that this growth regulator induces organogenic response in peanut tissues.