IN VITRO CLONAL PROPAGATION OF THYMUS CAPITATUS L. THROUGH DIRECT REGENERATION

Abstract

An efficient method for dirat plant regeneration of Thymus capitatus L. was
developed by using shoot tips and stem node sections. Explants were cultured on
MS basal medium fortified with various concentrations of cytokinins in single or
combination forms. The best response for multiple shoot regeneration (6.28) was
achieved on MS supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 BA and 0.01 mgl-1 Zeatin after six
weeks of shoot tips culture. While the best response for multiple shoots
differentiated (12.4) within 8 weeks when stem node sections were cultured on MS
medium containing 0.5 mgl-1 BA. High rate of root percentage (100%) was
obtained in shoot regeneration cultures on ½ MS basal medium containing 3 mgl-1
IBA. Micropropagated plantlets were transplanted into soil for acclimation under
greenhouse conditions.