Influence of kanamycin on explant and callus of moth bean

Various tissues and explants of Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal cv. RMO-256 grown invitro were incubated in the presence of a selectable marker antibiotic, kanamycin sulfate. Among the various tissues/explants, leaves showed maximum tolerance to high levels of kanamycin (up to even 500 µg/ml). Shoot growth and root induction were affected severely and root induction was completely inhibited at 50 µg/ml kanamycin. Callus tissues were found to be highly susceptible to kanamycin and callus induction reduced up to 50 per cent at 20 µg/ml levels. Low levels of kanamycin (20, 50 µg/ml) had a promotory effect on shoot bud morphogenesis in callus cultures. Higher levels (200-500 µg/ml) however, inhibited regeneration completely. Promotory effects of kanamycin were not observed in case of direct regeneration from leaf explants. Direct regeneration was completely inhibited at 100 µg/ml kanamycin.