Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of Phlox paniculata Linn.

Abstract

Callus was obtained from leaf explants of Phlox paniculata on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BA, 2.0 mg/l IAA and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Somatic embryogenesis was achieved when this callus was subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0–2.0 mg/l BA, 0.25–0.5 mg/l IAA and 3% (w/v) sucrose. The frequency of somatic embryogenesis was greater in callus derived from immature than mature leaf explants. Somatic embryos proliferated rapidly by secondary somatic embryogenesis after transfer to MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l BA, 0.5 mg/l IAA and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Somatic embryos germinated and developed into normal plantlets on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% (w/v) sucrose without growth regulator. Embryogenic calli maintained their regeneration capacity for 15 months. About 92% of the somatic embryo-derived plantlets were acclimatized in the greenhouse and successfully transferred to field conditions.