Interaction between hormonal treatments and type of explant on callus formation and photosynthetic pigments in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L) is an important medicinal plant with valuable secondary metabolites. Chicory callus is a good source for the production and extraction of metabolites of this plant. In this study, chicory callus changes were investigated about some morphological and biochemical characteristics to obtain the best hormonal treatment. Healthy seedlings were prepared from sterile chicory seeds in ½ MS culture medium. Stem, leaf, and root explants were prepared from seedlings and used for culture in liquid MS and 2,4-D, BAP, and kinetin hormones at concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg / l were cultured. The results showed that callus was yellow and green to dark brown and callus texture also showed from weak and soft to firm. The highest percentage of callus (76.22%) related to leaf explant and treatment 2,4-D (0.5mg / L), the highest amount of fresh weight of callus (7.30 g), and dry weight of callus (0.077 g) In leaf explant and Kin treatment (0.75 mg / L), the highest amount of chlorophyll a, b and total was related to leaf and BAP hormone treatment (0.75 mg / L). The highest amount of carotenoids was related to root explant and Kin (1 mg / L). In general, the interactions of hormones and explants affect different callus-forming characteristics and these effects depend on the type of explants and the concentration of growth regulators, and the greatest effect was observed in leaf explant culture.