Effect of plant growth regulators and antioxidants on in vitro plant regeneration and callus induction from leaf explants of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims)

Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) is one of the introduced tropical plants, an increasing interest has arisen due to its distinctive taste and attractive flavor. It is expected that passion fruit production and planted area will increase gradually in the years ahead because of high profitability and consumer's demands of healthful ingredients. So we tried to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators and antioxidants on in vitro plant regeneration and callus induction from leaf explants of passion fruit for an establishment of optimal mass propagation system. Young leaf explants of purple passion fruit were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different growth regulators and antioxidant additives to induce the shoot organogenesis. After 8 weeks, the highest embryogenic callus formation rate was obtained in MS medium supplemented with $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and $2mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), furthermore, the shoot development via organogenesis was also observed. Silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$), which was added into the medium to minimize the adverse effects of leached phenolics, was effective for reduction of medium browning and sudden explant death. In the medium supplemented with $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BAP and $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ gibberellic acid ($GA_3$), shoots were most vigorously regenerated and elongated. Most shoots rooted successfully in half strength medium with $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ indol-3 acetic acid (IAA), and more than 90% of plantlets survived after 4-month acclimatization period.