Regeneration of Plants from Cotyledon Fragments of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Fragments excised from cotyledons of imbibed seeds were initially cultivated on media with high auxin (2,4-D) and low cytokinin (kinetin) content. Cell division in spongy parenchyma cells was induced within 5 days and the fragments were then transferred to different media. Employing various types and concentrations of auxins and cytokinins, it was possible to direct further development and obtain undifferentiated calluses, or calluses bearing either roots or shoots. Whole plantlets were obtained when the shoots were stimulated to produce adventitious roots. Flowering was observed in all rooted plants. When transferred from sterile culture conditions to peat and soil, most plantlets were able to survive. It has been concluded that the regeneration of whole buckwheat plants is feasible from differentiated cotyledon cells, provided three different media were subsequently used, each one suitable for a specific phase of development.