Bantewalu Hailekidan¹, Mebeasilassie Andargie^1,, Kebebew Assefa²

The study was undertaken to develop an efficient protocol for in vitro regeneration of shallot (Allium cepa). Two local shallot varieties (Huruta and Minjar) were used as experimental materials where basal discs were used as explants. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin and α-naphthaleneacetic acid were used for callus induction and regeneration of plantlet. Maximum callus induction was observed in genotype Huruta (81.11%) in medium supplemented with 1mg/l 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid. In combined effect both genotypes Huruta and Minjar showed highest callus induction (74.44%) from basal discs placed in medium supplemented with 1 mg/1 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid. Among the different types and combination of plant growth regulators, the maximum callus fresh weight of 1.26 and 1.20 g were achieved with 1 mg/l 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and α-naphthaleneacetic acid combined with 1 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine, respectively. Regenerated plants were obtained via somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine + 0.1 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid showed higher percentage of shoot regeneration (91.11%). 1.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid + 2 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine was the optimum concentration giving 86.66% of rooted plantlets. The survival rate of transferred regenerated plantlets was satisfactory 66.6% and 60.0% for Minjar and Huruta respectively.

callus, MS medium, plant regeneration, shallot, somatic embryogenesis