The effects of thidiazuron and 2,4-D on the regeneration of Melastoma malabathricum L. cultured leaves

Melastoma malabathricum L. has potential for exploitation of its pharmacological and phytoremediation properties. We cultivated M. malabathricum leaves using in vitro cultures in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ) (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg.L⁻¹), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg.L⁻¹) or both. We studied the effect of TDZ alone or combined with 2,4-D on the growth and development of cultured leaves. Explants were cultured on solid MS medium supplemented with TDZ (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg.L⁻¹) or 2,4-D (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg.L⁻¹) or both. All treatments induced callus with different colours and textures. TDZ, 2,4-D or both induced callus formation in approximately 75–95 %, 95–100 % or 45–90 % of explants. Adventitious root was produced in the presence of 0.1 mg L⁻¹ (70 %) and 0.2 mg.L ⁻¹ (60 %) 2,4-D. Adventitious shoot formation was initiated in the presence of 1 mg.L⁻¹ (15 %), 2 mg.L⁻¹ (5 %) and 3 mg.L⁻¹ (5 %) TDZ. Callus formation was induced by 0.1 mg.L⁻¹ 2,4-D (63 %), 0.2 mg.L ⁻¹ 2,4-D (50 %), 2 mg.L⁻¹ TDZ (42 %) and 3 mg.L⁻¹ TDZ (50 %), which were higher than other treatments. Callus, adventitious root or adventitious shoot was induced from leaves using 12 different media.