Drought tolerance of Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 by tissue culture

Abstract

The multiple shoots induction of Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 was cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/l TDZ. The percentage of shoot induction was 100%, the average number of shoots was 36.80 per seed, and the average height of shoots was 0.76 cm. The shoots were transferred to MS medium for rooting, supplemented with 0.3 mg/l IAA. The percentage of root induction was 40%, and the average number of roots was 6.50 per shoot. Physical gamma rays induced the mutation. Seeds were irradiated with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 50 Krad. The results showed that S. guianensis CIAT 184 irradiated at 44.38 Krad gave 50 % (GR50(30)) and 50% LD50(30) of 38.06 Krad. The drought tolerance of seeds supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of PEG-6000. The GR50 was 17.73 % at 2 weeks, and the LD50 was 14.86 % and 11.83 % for 4 and 12 weeks, respectively.