Tricotyledonous Seedling in Jute (Corchorus capsularis): First Observation During Tissue Culture Selection

Abstract

White jute (Corchorus capsularis) is a dicotyledonous, annual, bast fiber-producing crop. Under controlled culture room conditions (27 {+/-} 2{degrees}C, 16 h light/8 h dark photoperiod) and in a 15 mg/L hygromycin-B supplemented nutrient medium, one out of 50 tested seeds (2%) exhibited a rare tricotyledonous seedling phenotype. This is the first documented occurrence of tricotyledon in white jute during tissue culture selection of the cultivar JRC321 (Sonali). Given the potential advantages of polycotyledon in other plant species--such as improved vigor, and biomass accumulation--this finding opens new avenues for investigating the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying tricotyledon development in jute. Future studies could explore its implications for breeding programs aimed at enhancing fiber yield and production.