Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from cotyledon and leaf explants of Solanum surattense

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from the cotyledon and leaf explants of Indian Solanum (Solanum surattense Burm. f.), a medicinally important plant, is reported. Embryogenic callus was induced from cotyledon and leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog's medium fortified with 0.5-8.0 mg/L alpha -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) + 0.5 mg/L N super(6)-benzylaminopurine (BAP). High frequency of somatic embryo formation was found at 6.0 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/L BAP and 4.0 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/L BAP in cotyledon and leaf explants, respectively. Secondary somatic embryogenesis was also observed when primary somatic embryos were subcultured on the same somatic embryo induction medium. Well-developed cotyledonary stage embryos were germinated on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 1.0-8.0 mg/L BAP. Maximum percentage (71.2%) of somatic embryo germination and plantlet formation was found at 0.5 mg/L IAA + 2.0 mg/L BAP, but they didn't germinate on 1/2 MSO and MSO media. The post transplantation survival rate of plants was 65-70%. Plants and flowers formed were morphologically similar to mother plants. The present protocol can be used for genetic transformation experiments in S. surattense.