Plant regeneration from transformed calli of the tree species <em>Casuarina equisetifolia</em>, Linn.

Abstract

C. equisetifolia is a multipurpose tree, widely used in the afforestation and wasteland development programmes. A successful in vitro plant regeneration protocol has been developed for this tree earlier. Further to this, various parameters necessary for the genetic modification using biolistic gene delivery system were standardized. The chimeric calli after 3 months of selection with appropriate antibiotic showed the transgene  integration in genomic PCR. The chimeric calli developed shoots when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with phytohormones Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) after it was pre-exposed to an induction medium, (MS with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and Kinetin (Kin) at concentrations of 2mg/l and 0.5mg/l respectively) for 30 days. Excised microshoots when treated with Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) followed by Abscisic Acid (ABA) developed roots in one month. Three months old plantlets were transferred to green house in pots containing soil and vermiculite (1:1).