Response of Prosopis koelziana Burkart to in vitro culture and salt stress

Effect of explants source, plant growth regulator and NaCl on organogenesis and proline accumulation in prosopis Kolziana, salt tolerant species, were studied. Meristem, young leaf, and cotyledon separated from in vitro seedling. Then explants were cultured on MS medium supplement with different plant growth regulators. Multiple shoot regeneration was observed in meristem explants. In contrast leaf callus did not produce any shoot and root. The best treatment for shoot regeneration was MS Medium containing 1 mgl-1 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.1 mgl-1 naphtalenacetic acid. Auxins promoted callus and root regeneration. In contrast cytokinin hormones induced shoot formation. Effect of different concentrations of NaCl (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 gl-1) on organogenesis and proline accumulation were investigated. The result showed salt stress tends to decrease of organogenesis. But it had less effect on callus induction. Although, high content of NaCl inhibited both callusing and shoot regeneration. Proline content was significantly increased by increasing the NaCl. Increasing the NaCl concentration from 8 mgl-1 to 12 mgl-1 did not enhance proline content. It is suggested proline had an important role on salt resistance in this species.