A protocol for indirect shoot organogenesis of Solanum melongena ‘Larga Negra’ and ‘Black Beauty’ was established using hypocotyl and cotyledon derived calluses. The maximum morphogenic callus induction was observed from cultured cotyledons of 30-days old seedlings on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid and 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine. The highest percentage of shoot regeneration and the highest mean number of shoots/callus were obtained on hormone-free MS medium. In terms of callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration, cotyledon explants were more responsive than hypocotyl explants. Regenerated shoots (2-3 cm) were rooted on MS hormone-free medium or medium containing 0.1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. About 90% of regenerated plantlets survived under field conditions after hardening in the glasshouse. Several somaclones exhibiting useful variation would to be proposed as initial plant material for eggplant breeding programs.
