In vitro shoot regeneration of boldo from leaf explants

A shoot regeneration system for Plectranthus neochilus was studied from leaf explants. Leaves developed under in vitro conditions were cultured on Wood Plant Medium supplemented with 0.2mg dm-3 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and different 6-benzilaminopurine (BAP) or thidiazuron (TDZ) concentrations (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0mg dm-3). An increase in percentage of responsive explants (85.3%) and in the number of shoots developed per explant (3.2) was observed when the explants were treated with 5.3 and 4.7mg dm-3 BAP, respectively. The leaf explants cultured on media supplemented with TDZ became vitreous and did not form buds. The regeneration system used is efficient for boldo bud induction and shoot development, showing high potential for advanced cellular and molecular studies.