Evaluation of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics on the Regeneration of Peanut Plants and Their Inhibitory Effect on Agrobacterium Growth

The effect of beta-lactam antibiotics on shoot induction and plantlet regeneration from cotyledonary nodes was tested using two peanut cultivars.The culture media contained 4 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine(BAP)as the main growth regulator.Various concentrations(100–600 mg/L)of cefotaxime,carbenicillin,and timentin were applied in the culture media.In all the tested media,there were no significant differences in the shoot induction as compared to the control.However,little phytotoxic effect was observed at higher concentrations of these antibiotics in the shoot elongation media.Under shoot elongation medium,shoots turned brownish and partly died at higher concentrations where shooting rates were not affected by the treatments.In cefotaxime,timentin,and carbenicillin-containing media,levels of antibiotics greater than 400,300,and 200 mg/L,respectively resulted in the brown coloration of plantlets.Moreover,the mean shoot number and shoot weight significantly decreased as their dosage increased.The results indicate that maximum levels of antibiotics have an adverse effect on the growth and development of peanuts.Also,cefotaxime(100–300 mg/L)and timentin(100–300 mg/L)will be sufficient in controlling Agrobacterium growth in the culture media with the least phytotoxic effect on the peanut plants.