Somatic embryogenesis in liquid cultures of a tetraploidAlstroemeria

Abstract

A simple and efficient procedure was developed for regeneration of a tetraploid cultivar ofAlstroemeria (A. pelegrina x A. psittacina) via somatic embryogenesis in liquid cultures. Embryogenic callus induced from mature zygotic embryos, cultured on MS medium supplemented with 40 µM NAA and 20 µM kinetin, was used as inoculum for liquid cultures. Pre-culture of the callus on MS medium supplemented with 80 µM NAA for two days was essential for cell proliferation in the liquid medium. Embryogenic cell aggregates, obtained by sieving through a 750 µm nylon mesh, continued to proliferate in media containing 10 or 20 µM NAA and 10 or 20 µM kinetin. When transferred to a semi-solid half strength MS medium supplemented with casein hydrolysate, cell aggregates successfully differentiated into plantlets which later grew to maturity under greenhouse conditions.