Standardization of efficient protocol for callus induction and shoot regeneration in border carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

An experiment was conducted to standardize the protocol for in vitro callusing of border carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) var. ‘Can Can’. Different explants tried were leaf segments and nodal segments. For callus induction, 12 different combinations of 2,4-D, BAP and NAA were used. Among both types of explants, the best callus formation was observed in MS medium supplemented with BAP 1.00 + 2,4-D 2.00 mg l^-1, showing the highest development of callus and callus weight per explant (2.15 g explant^-1). For shoot regeneration, BAP, NAA. IAA and Kinetin were used in eight different combinations. Cultures on media supplemented with NAA showed a higher percentage of calli producing shoots and a greater shoot number compared to those containing IAA in combination in both the explants. The highest regeneration rate and shoot number per explant were found in the MS medium supplemented with kinetin 2.00 + NAA 0.50 mg l^-1.