Development of in vitro Germination Protocol for Chemical Mutation Study of Biodiesel Plant (Jatropha curcas L.)

In the present investigation, development of an in vitro system with well germination protocol was established for mutation study using Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS). Embryo of Jatropha curcas seeds were cultured on full strength as well as half strength Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium either alone or supplemented with various growth regulators. Normal germination was noticed when the isolated embryos cultured In vitro. Both MS full as well as half strength Basal medium showed best for germination along with proper root formation and elongation. Addition of growth regulators adversely effected germination, root formation and elongation of the cultured embryos. The regulators on the other hand promoted basal callusing. Callusing was much reduced at half strength of MS basal medium. The epicotyls cultured on BAP supplemented medium showed formation of multiple shoots.