Mehta, A. R.Kumar, Rakesh R.2018-04-162018-04-161993http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810043534The present communication describes tissue culture studies on organogenesis directly as well as somatic embryogenesis via callus derived from the cotyledonary leaf explants of eggplant (Solanum pelongena.L) var. Doli-5 to explore the possibility of creating variability which could be used to supplement the conventional breeding programmes. The effect of various levels of phytohormones lAA, Kn singly and in combination as well as sucrose were studied for shoot bud differentiation and length of shoot per explant using 25 days old cotyledonary leaf explant on MS medium. The findings revealed that maximum number of shoot bud differentiation as well as length of shoot per explant were recorded on MS medium containing 2 mg1-1 Kn in combination with 1 mg1-1 lAA at 2% sucrose in the medium. However, highest length of shoot was obtained using 1 mg1-1 GA3 in combination with 3 mg1-1 BA as well as at 3% sucrose. The cotyledonary leaves of different ages (15 days, 25 days, 35 days, and 45 days old) were tested for shoot bud regeneration and length of shoot; the results obtained showed that cotyledonary leaf explants 25 days old as well as 15 days old seedlings were equally effective for both the characters. The in vitro raised shoots were experimented for root induction per cent, number of roots and length of root per shoot using root induction medium (MS medium containing either 0.0-0.10 mg1-1 NAA/IBA alone or in combination). The findings revealed that 0.05 mg1-1 NAA alone seems to be more effective for maximum percentage of root induction as well as number of root per shoot; however, the highest length of root per shoot was achieved on MS basal medium. Further, these rooted plantlets were transferred into clay pots containing different potting mixtures such as sand, soil, vermiculite FYM, pressmud and their combinations and were further examined for per cent survival of plantlets. The results showed that clay pots containing mixtures of vermiculite and FYM (1:1, v/v) was found most effective for maximum survival (percentage) of plantlets. The somatic embryoids were induced in the callus tissues derived from cotyledonary leaf explant, using various levels of NAA and sucrose in MS medium. The optimal level of NAA and sucrose for maximum number of Somatic embryos formation per explant were found to be 8 mg1-1 and 2% respectively. The addition of cytokinins either BA/Kn (0.05- 5.0 mg1-1 ) keeping NAA (8mg1-1) and sucrose (2.0% w/v) levels constant in the medium inhibited somatic embryogenesis.enPLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY, AGRICULTUREA STUDYThesis