Taraxacum officinale is well known for its medicinal properties. Using different combinations of auxins and cytokinins, callus induction and regeneration has been reported previously. However, studies on the effect of individual plant growth regulators are limited. In the present study, individual effect of auxins (2,4-D and NAA) and cytokinins (kinetin, BAP and TDZ) on callus induction and plant regeneration was tested. Leaf and root explants cultured on MS medium plus 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D produced greenish white and light brown friable callus and those cultured on NAA induced pigmented callus. This is the first report on the induction of pigmented callus in T. officinale using NAA alone. Kinetin caused direct shoot regeneration whereas BAP and TDZ induced direct as well as indirect shoot regeneration. Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized successfully at 20±2 °C. Scanning electron microscopy revealed differences in stomata and leaf surface of in vitro and acclimatized plantlets.
