Germination and in vitro regeneration of Sesbania punicea and Sesbania virgata: environmentally important plants

Abstract

Germination and in vitro regeneration of S. punicea and S. virgata calluses were studied to produce an efficient protocol for subsequent use as phytoremediator species and provide information to increase contamination tolerance. Mechanical and chemical scarification, as pre-germination treatments, increased germination in both species. In vitro regeneration is possible, using epicotyl sections as explant, which have caulogenic capacity. However, S. virgata had a better response at the rooting stage. This provides new information to advance in genetic transformation studies to increase contamination tolerance for these species to be used in phytoremediation or revegetation plans.