Abstract

Okra is an important vegetable crop in world, which is a major source of dietry fiber, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins. Okra is an important vegetable used for cooking purpose. The objective of the experimentation was to optimize an efficient in vitro regeneration system for Okra, its acclimatization into soil. Okra seeds were washed by 70% Ethanol, Mercuric chloride and Tween 20. Okra seeds were shifted to MS media for germination.  Firstly, cotyledons and hypocotyls from in vitro grown okra plants under sterilized conditions were used as explant. The explants were grown on (MS) medium, which also included MS vitamins, 400 mg/l of L-glutamine, 300 mg/l of casein hydrolysate, 8 g of agar, 1.5 mg/l of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), and 1.0 mg/l of kinetin. After 4 weeks of culturing in the same media, proembryoids were seen. After 8 weeks of culture, globular to torpedo-shaped somatic embryo development was seen. From the in vitro regenerated shoots, well-developed, elongated shoots were taken out and grown on MS medium at half strength with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 1.0 mg/L IBA. In this medium, the highest rooting frequency was reported. As a result, the plantlets were placed in pots with peat moss and covered with polythene bags to minimize water loss. After acclimatization in peat-moss, plants were shifted to soil containing pots and shifted to green house for hardening.