Optimization Callus Induction in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare M.)

Fewer side effects of medicinal plants compared to chemical drugs have caused them to receive increasing attention. Fennel is one of the most important and valuable medicinal plants due to its numerous healing properties and the presence of several valuable medicinal active substances. Due to the medicinal importance of this plant and the possibility of producing its metabolites in vitro, it is necessary to study the factors affecting the production of these metabolites; In addition, an efficient protocol for indirect regeneration and gene transfer can be provided. For this purpose, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in 2018. Factors included genotype (French and Isfahan), MS medium enriched with 2,4-D (1, 2 and 5 mg.l-1) and BAP (0, 0.1 and 0.5 mg.l-1) plant growth regulators as well as tissue Explants (root, hypocotyl and cotyledon). According to the results, the hypocotyl explant of Isfahan genotype had the highest callus fresh weight in culture medium containing 1 mg.l-1 2,4-D. The French genotype had a higher fresh weight in culture medium containing 0.5 mg.l-1 BAP. The highest callus dry weight was obtained in hypocotyl explants of French genotype with rich culture medium with 1 mg.l-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg.l-1 BAP. Regarding callus size characteristics, the cotyledon explant in culture medium enriched with 1 mg.l-1 2,4-D had the best reaction. The cotyledon explant had the best callus induction in all treatment’s compounds