Investigating the effect of explant type and hormonal composition on Astragalus verus callogenesis

The genus Astragalus of the Leguminosaefamily is one of the largest genera among flowering plants. Astragalus verus is one of the suitable species for tragacanth production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different hormonal compounds on callus induction of A. verus different explants . Callogenesis from root, hypocotyl and cotyledon explants was studied in MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, 2,4-D and NAA. The highest percentage of callogenesis was obtained in 2,4-D (0.5 mgl-1) treatment with a mean of 56% and the lowest percentage of callogenesis was in 0.5 mg -1L NAA treatment with a mean of 4%. The highest callogenesis percentage was achieved from root explant with an average of 67%. The highest and lowest callus dimensions were obtained in treatment of 9 mgl-1NAA and 9 mgl-12,4-D with average values of 62 and 0.1 mm3 , respectively. The highest fresh and dry weights of calli were obtained with an average of 0.148 and 0.022 g of root explant in 2,4-D treatment, respectively. The separability of calli in medium containing 2,4-D was better than NAA. The results of this study can be used in indirect regeneration studies, gene transfer, and cell suspension culture to produce secondary metabolites such as tragacanth under in vitro conditions.