In Vitro Regeneration from Leaf Explants of Pineapple (Ananas comosus L, Merr)

Multiple shoots were regenerated from leaf explants obtained from in vitro grown shoot cultures of pineapple. Each leaf was horizon tally cut into three pieces (∼ 0.5 cm, basal, middle and tip) and cultured onto MS basal medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and various growth regulators.The explant containing the basal part of the leaf gave rise to tiny protuberances which grew into shoots.The highest number of shoots were obtained on MS basal medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.90 pM) and 2iP (0.98 μM).These shoots were subcultured onto white's basal medium supplemented with 1% sucrose, NAA (0.54 μM) and IBA (1.97 μM). Plantlets produced in vitrowere transferred to paper cups containing autoclaved soil or Soilrite, hardened in the greenhouse and established in soil.The protocol provides an easy propagation system for pineapple, an otherwise vegetatively propagated fruit crop.