Plant regeneration of southern Adriatic iris by somatic embryogenesis

Abstract

A simple protocol has been developed for plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis of Southern Adriatic iris (Iris pseudopallida Trinajstić), an endemic species of the Balkan Peninsula. Somatic embryogenesis was induced in zygotic embryo culture on media supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2-10 mgL-1) as the sole plant growth regulator, where both embryogenic calli and somatic embryos were induced. Subsequent decrease of 2,4-D in the media promoted formation of somatic embryos. Developed somatic embryos germinated on medium without growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets had diploid chromosome number. Planted plantlets acclimatized very well under greenhouse and garden conditions.

Keywords

• Zygotic embryo culture
• somatic embryogenesis
• Iris pseudopallida