Evaluation of Effects of some Growth Regulators on Callus Induction and Regeneration in Nepeta pogonosperma l.

 Nepetaceae genus (Nepeta L.) is a medicinal and valuable Essence species that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. More than 250 species of this genus reported in the world but you can find 67 species of them in Iran. The present study conducted to provide a quick and efficient method for callus induction and plantlet regeneration of this medicinal plant with using seeds as an explant.

  For evaluation of callus induction, seeds of this plant cultured in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D and BA in 5 levels (0, 1,2,3,4 mg. l-1). For regeneration of calli, we used MS medium supplemented with IBA and BAP in 3 levels (0, 1, 2 mg.l-1). In order to optimization of rooting, 1/2MS, MS without Charcoal and 1/2MS with charcoal media that all of them supplemented with 3 levels of IBA (0, 1, 2 mg. l-1) were used.

After 10 days of culture, the callus were indued. The results showed BAP and BAP × 2,4-D didn't have significant effects on calli inducton, calli volume and regenerable calli. In regeneration treatments interaction between growth regulators couldn’t affect but BAP alone affect the explants regeneration. Different concentration of IBA in MS medium affect the rooting of explants and we tried to find the best medium for this purpose.  

 Explants in all treatments were produced Callus but The largest callus (18.4 with Hooker and Nabors scale) and highest regenerable callus percentage (63%) were showed on the MS medium supplemented with 1mg/l 2, 4-D. The highest percentage of callus regeneration and seedling emergence (88.9%) were showed in the MS medium supplemented with 2 mg.l-1 IBA .The highest percentage of rooting (100%) were showed in 1/2 MS containing 1mg.l-1 IBA Despite of some research about difficulties of  the hardening off this plant,  in this research over than 80% of plantlets be survive in greenhouse.