Somaclonal variation through tissue culture of tea

Abstract

Large scale shoot regeneration of tea was obtained by culturing callus derived from zygotic embryos, cotyledonary segments and leaf tissues in MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with different hormones, like 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), kinetin (Kin) and gibberellic acid (GA3). Regenerated shoots were rooted in TK0/TKP (Konwar et al., 1999) medium and transferred to pots/sleeves, acclimatised in makeshift facilities and then planted in the field. Survival in pots/sleeves during acclimatisation was only 20-25% in the thatch house. A wide phenotypic variability was exhibited by the plants in the field. Morphological variations were assessed.