Abstract

Dwarf chickling (Lathyrus cicera L) is an important forage legume crop. However, due to the presence of neurotoxin amino acid (b-N-oxalyl-L-a,b-diaminopropionic acid) in the dwarf chickling, its cultivation is limited. There is need to carry out studies for the development of varieties with reduced or none of this neurotoxin for beneficial and prolong consumption by animals. The study reports tissue culture approaches for multiplication of the plant using thidiazuron (TDZ), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) from immature zygotic embryos of the plant. The highest number (16.25) of shoots per explant was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 0.45 mg/l TDZ and 0.4 mg/l ascorbic acid. Much reduced shoot regeneration was recorded on MS medium containing different combinations BAP+NAA+ascorbic acid. The TDZ-regenerated shoots were rooted by pulse treatment with 50 mg/l IBA for 7 min. The plantlets were successfully acclimatized under the greenhouse conditions. 

Key words: Immature zygotic embryos, dwarf chickling, Lathyrus cicera L., axillary shoot regeneration, rooting.