Abstract

This research was conducted to produce salt tolerant tomato plants by using mutation and tissue culture techniques. Seeds of two Tomato cultivars (Super Regina and Trescantos) were treated with 2.0 mM of Sodium Azide NaN₃ for 4 h and sterilized with Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) of (0.0, 1.0 or 3.0)%. The treated seeds were germinated on (MS) medium and shoot tips (1 cm) were used to induce calli on media supplemented with different hormones combinations. The produced calli were cultured on media of (6.5, 8.5, or 10.5) dSm^-1 sodium chloride. Plants were then regenerated from the survival calli. The results showed that 3% NaOCl was the best sterilization treatment. Moreover the best growth regulator combinations were either 2 mg /L BA with 2 mg/L IAA or 0.5 mg of BA with 1 mg/L IAA. Since there was no significant difference between them, the last was recommended. Furthermore, salinity had negative effect on callus growth and (6.5 dSm^-1) treatment showed significantly higher callus fresh and dry weights than the other treatments. No plants were produced from 10.5 dSm^-1 treatment and Super Regina showed higher percentage of plant regeneration than Trescantos. Calli grown on 10.5 dSm^-1 contained the highest Sodium and Chloride ions. Trescantos cultivar showed significantly higher calli sodium ions content compared with Super Regina. However, no significant differences between the two cultivars in the Chloride ion content were found. In conclusion it has been possible to induce and select salt tolerant tomato plants via in vitro mutation technique.

Keywords:

BA, IAA, shoot tip, sodium azide, sodium chloride,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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