Regeneration of garlic callus as affected by clonal variation, plant growth regulators and culture conditions over time

 A long-term regeneration system for garlic (Allium sativum L.) clones of diverse origin was developed. Callus was initiated on a modified Gamborg's B-5 medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 2,4-D and maintained on the same basal medium with 4.7 μM picloram+0.49 μM 2iP. Regeneration potential of callus after 5, 12 and 16 months on maintenance medium was measured using several plant growth regulator treatments. The 1.4 μM picloram+13.3 μM BA treatment stimulated the highest rate of shoot production. Regeneration rate decreased as callus age increased, but healthy plantlets from callus cultures up to 16-months-old were produced for all clones. Regeneration of long-term garlic callus cultures could be useful for clonal propagation and transformation.