In vitro Induction of Cotton Shoots (Gossypium hirsutum L. Malvaceae) from Terminal Buds and Embryos in the Presence of BAP and KIN

Abstract

A tropical plant belonging to the Malvaceae family, cotton is cultivated for its fibers and sheaths, which are used in the textile and food industries. However, the production and quality of cotton fibers are negatively impacted by pests, leading to the use of high doses of pesticides. To produce healthy, uniform, and high-performing plants, in vitro cotton culture was initiated. This study was undertaken within this framework and aims to test the influence of hormones on shoot initiation in terminal buds and cotton embryos. To this end, terminal buds from two-week-old plantlets and embryos derived from cotton seeds were cultured on a medium supplemented with two cytokinins, BAP and KIN (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/l), alone or in combination. Then, GA3 at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/L was used for elongation. Finally, three auxins (2,4-D, AIA, and AIB) at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/L were added to the medium for rooting. The results showed that the greatest number of buds was obtained with the BAP/KIN combination at 2 mg/L in terminal buds and embryos (8.73 and 7.80 buds, respectively). GA3 at 1.5 and 1 mg/L resulted in the greatest lengths (7.21 and 6.6 cm, respectively). AIA at 1 mg/L induced the longest roots (13.32 and 13.25 cm) in terminal buds. In embryos, AIB at 1 mg/l induces the highest number of roots (13, 25 roots). The BAP/KIN combination is favorable for inducing buds in cotton (1.5 and 2 mg/l).