Abstract:
This study was carried out to investigate the possibility for regeneration of shoots from cultured
ovary of Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) clone – TRI 2025, which is a popular clone in the
country due to its high yield potential, vigorous growth and tolerance to eelworm and drought.
Unopened floral buds (4-6 mm length) from field grown shrubs were collected and sterilized in
70% ethanol (v/v) for 1 minute followed by 5% Clorox solution for 10 minutes. The immature
ovaries were excised from the buds and were inoculated on MS medium (0.4% agar)
supplemented with 2,4 –D (6.0 mg/l) alone and with 2,4 – D (2.0mg/l) plus BAP (2mg/l). They
were also inoculated on half MS medium with 2,4 – D(2.) mg/l) alone and with 2, 4-D (2.0 mg/l)
plus BAP (1.0ml/l). All cultures were incubated in dark and sub-culturing was done once a
month. The calli were transferred to the same media but without 2,4 – D and kept in light for the
regeneration of shoots.
The results showed that browning and tissue necrosis were more in MS media compared to half
strength MS media. High concentration of inorganic salts would have resulted in the
accumulation of phenolic compounds, causing browning and subsequent necrosis of callus tissue.
Callus induction and growth were relatively higher in half strength MS medium with 2,4 – D
(2.0mg/l) and BAP (1.0 mg/l). After transferring the calli 2,4 –D(2.0mf/l) free MS media and
when maintained in light, whitish yellow calli turned to greenish yellow but plantlets did not
regenerate, even though the organization into green nodules were observed