Genotypic Differences in Shoot-forming Capacity of Cultured Leaf Explants of Lycopersicon hirsutum
Cultured leaf explants obtained from 36 accessions of the wild tomato species, Lycopersicon hirsutum Humb. and Bonpl., were evaluated for morphogenic capacity in response to three cytokinins (zeatin, BA, and kinetin) in combination with IAA. Media containing 0.1 μm IAA plus 4.6 or 9.2 μm zeatin were optimal for shoot induction. Cotyledon explants were superior to true leaf explants for obtaining shoot formation. Morphogenic responses of L. hirsutum f. typicum and L. hirsutum f. glabratum were clearly accession-dependent and ranged from exceptional with numerous shoots produced to recalcitrant with no shoots produced. The high morphogenetic capacity of leaf explants from L. hirsutum f. typicum accession 128644 was also evident in protoplast-derived calli that readily regenerated shoots. Chemical names used (E)-2-methyl-4-(1H-purin-6-ylamino)-2-buten-1-ol (zeatin), N-(phenylmethyl) -1H-purin-6-amine (BA), N- (2-furanylmethyl) -1H- purin-6-amine (kinetin), 1H- indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).