Plant regeneration from cotyledon explants in leaf chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum).

Plantlets of leaf chicory ‘Radicchio’ and ‘Italiana’ (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum) were produced through organogenesis from cotyledon explants cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) combinations. Most vigorous callus and shoot formation of ‘Radicchio’ were observed in the combination of 1.0 ㎎ㆍl -1 IAA and 1.0 mgㆍl -1 BAP and those of ‘Italiana’ in 0.1 ㎎ㆍl -1 IAA and 1.0 ㎎ㆍl -1 BAP. Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) which was applied to reduce vitrification was also effective on theformation of single shoots; also, 10 and 5 ㎎ㆍl -1 AgNO₃ were selected as the most effective levels in ‘Radicchio’ and ‘Italiana’, respectively. Root formation was promoted when regenerated shoots were cultured in 1/2 MS medium with 0.5 ㎎ㆍl -1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for both ‘Radicchio’ and ‘Italiana’ although adventitious roots were formed without NAA. Rooted plants were transferred into pots and thereafter, acclimatized and maintained in proper greenhouse conditions.