In vitro plant regeneration from unpollinated ovaries of Allium chinense

The present work was conducted to develop a simple and efficient protocol for in vitro shoot regeneration and plantlet formation from unpollinated ovary culture in Allium chinense. Ovaries that were excised from flowers 2–3 days before anthesis and cultured on induction medium with 9.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 8.88 μM benzylaminopurine (BAP) for 2 weeks gave the best organogenic response (56.32%). For shoot regeneration, the highest percent organogenic ovaries (64.53%) were obtained on B5 induction medium containing 9.05 μM 2,4-D and 8.88 μM BAP. Ovaries cultured on B5 containing 10.74 μM naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.44 μM BAP exhibited maximum shoot regeneration (60.32%). Shoots elongated and produced normal plantlets when cultured on B5 medium supplemented with 10.74 μM NAA for 2 weeks. The plant regeneration procedure from the ovary may be an alternative for the improvement of A. chinense by genetic engineering.

► Developed a protocol for in vitro unpollinated ovary culture of Allium chinense.
► Induction of ovary for 2 weeks gave the best organogenic response.
► Best shoots formation in vitro from ovaries on B5 induction medium containing 9.05 μM 2,4-D and 8.88 μM BAP.
► Maximum percentage of explants forming shoot with 0.44 μM BAP + 10.74 μM NAA.