Effect of explants type and plant growth regulators on in vitro callus induction and shoot regeneration of Cannabis sativa L.

Cannabis sativa L., belonging to cannabinaceae family, is a medicinal plant that produces a diverse array of secondary metabolites. The present study aimed to optimize in vitro direct and indirect regeneration in this valuable plant. For this reason, leaf and hypocotyl explants from in vitro grown plantlets were excised and cultured on MS media containing different concentrations of BA (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3mg/l) and TDZ (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3mg/l) alone or in combination with 0.5 mg/l IBA. The explants reaction in all media led to formation of calli. Direct shoot regeneration from explants was not observed but shoot induction from callus was seen on MS media containing different concentrations of BA in hypocotyl explants. The highest volume of callus was formed on MS medium containing 2 mg/l TDZ 0.5mg/l IBA using leaf as explant. The highest wet and dry weight of callus belonged to leaf explant cultured on MS medium containing 1 mg/l TDZ 0.5 mg/l IBA. MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l TDZ 0.5 mg/l IBA produced no callus in both explants. The addition of IBA in different concentration of BA had significant effects on volume, wet and dry weight of calli in both explants whereas it had no significant effects in different concentrations of TDZ.