Effects of Explant Types and Phytohormones on Azarshahr Red Onion Micropropagation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran

10.22126/atic.2025.11448.1178

Abstract

The Azarshahr red onion (Allium cepa L.), also known as “Germez Azarshahr”, is a native variety widely cultivated in northwestern Iran and highly valued for its culinary and pharmacological properties. Seed propagation of this variety is not economical as it results in uneven sowing and excessive consumption of resources such as water. In addition, the yield has significantly decreased due to abiotic and biotic stresses. Since there are no reports on the in vitro regeneration of commercially important onion varieties in Iran, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of different explants (mature embryo, basal plate and leaf) and different doses of auxin growth regulators -Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA), Picloram, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)- both individually and together with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on callus induction and regeneration of this variety to improve its use in molecular breeding and genetic engineering programs. The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates, and the data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple-range test (p≤0.05). The results indicated that the basal plate (50.65%) and mature embryo (40.22%) were the most effective for callus induction in different media. 2,4-D demonstrated superior efficiency in callus induction and production of high-quality embryogenic calli. The maximum callus induction rates were 81.67% for basal plates and 71.33% for mature embryos using Gamborg (B5) medium with BAP + 2,4-D (2+1 mg L-1). Furthermore, fifteen shoots were successfully regenerated from each basal plate callus at a frequency of 61.55% using B5 medium with BAP + NAA (1.5+0.1 mg L-1). This optimized protocol is suitable for rapid clonal propagation, germplasm preservation, and conducting genetic transformation studies of the Azarshahr red onion variety.

Graphical Abstract

Effects of Explant Types and Phytohormones on Azarshahr Red Onion Micropropagation

Highlights

  • An optimized protocol for callus formation and shoot regeneration in Allium cepa (Azarshar cultivar red onion) is presented, aimed at facilitating crop improvement through genetic transformation.
  • The basal plate explant proved most effective for both callus formation and shoot regeneration.
  • 2,4-D combined with BAP demonstrated superior callus induction efficiency and resulted in a higher weight of embryogenic calli compared to Picloram and NAA.
  • Shoot initiation from callus varied significantly in response to different cytokinins.
  • High concentrations of NAA with BAP induced root-like structures in regeneration media.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Agrotechniques in Industrial Crops

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