Role of ethylene in the production of sporophytes from Platycerium coronarium (Koenig) desv. frond and rhizome pieces cultured in Vitro

Abstract

The effect of ethylene on in vitro plant regeneration from frond and rhizome expiants of Platycerium coronarium was investigated. Ethylene levels in the culture vessels increased with time, resulting in a decrease in the percentage of sporophytes produced. Addition of the ethylene action inhibitor silver thiosulfate resulted in an increase in the percentage of plants regenerated, indicating an inhibitory effect of ethylene on regeneration. However, the presence of 2,5-norbornadiene was not effective in reversing the effect of ethylene. Inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis, such as cobalt chloride, salicylic acid, benzylisothiocyanate, and aminoethoxyvinylglycine, were also ineffective in increasing sporophyte regeneration. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, the ethylene precursor, was ineffective in increasing the level of ethylene in the culture vessels. Therefore, the biosynthetic pathway of ethylene in the fern P. coronarium appears to be different from that of higher plants but similar to that of some other ferns.