Regeneration of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) from cotyledonary node via multiple shoot formation

Plant regeneration, which is the major limiting factor for transformation of Cajanus cajan, has been obtained via multiple shoot formation from the cotyledonary node region of seedlings germinated on MS medium containing 2 mgl(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine. A mass of multiple shoot-initials formed at the axillary bud region of the cotyledonary node of the seedlings within two weeks. The cotyledonary node along with the mass of shoot-initials excised from the seedling, continued to form new shoot-initials on MS medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (2 mgl(-1)) and supplemented topically with indole-3-acetic acid. The formation of new shoot-initials was also observed from the cotyledonary nodal explant, after cutting off its surface layers to completely remove the pre-existing shoot-initials and culturing it on 6-benzylaminopurine (2 mgl(-1)) containing medium. The shoots elongated rapidly on basal MS medium and rooted efficiently in MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (0.5 mgl(-1)). The procedure described is efficient, and highly reproducible and a common response was observed for all the six varieties tested.