In vitro Plant Formation from Stem Explants of Rape (Brassica napus cv. Zephyr)

Internodal segments from 6‐weeks‐old rape plants (Brassica napus L. cv. Zephyr) were induced to differentiate in vitro producing shoots or shoots and roots on synthetic nutrient medium under controlled conditions. Benzyladenine (BA) alone (5 × 10−6 M) induced multiple shoot formation on all stem explants. Roots were induced on shoots when recultured on nutrient medium supplemented with auxins such as naphthalene‐acetic acid (NAA) or indoleacetic acid (1AA) or when planted in vermiculite. Complete plant formation was obtained when NAA (2 × 1−6, 5 × 10−6 and 10−5 M) was employed in conjunction with BA at 5 × 10−6M. At higher concentrations (10−5M) NAA retards the shoot development while 1AA suppresses it totally. Lower levels of auxins along with the cytokinin did not retard or inhibit shoot differentiation.