The influence of temperature, daylength and sucrose concentration on the growth and development of Alstroemeria 'Zebra' in vitro

Abstract

The influence of temperature, daylength and sucrose concentration on the growth and development of <em>Alstroemeria</em> 'Zebra' <em>in vitro</em> was investigated. Only slightly more lateral rhizomes were formed at 25°C in comparison with 17°C on the medium with BA. Presence of BA in the medium strongly increased number of upright growing shoots and more shoots were formed in temperature 25°C than in temperature 17°C. Rhizome multiplication and formation of upright growing shoots were not significantly influenced by daylength. Sucrose was required for the formation of lateral rhizomes, upright growing shoots and roots. The highest number Of lateral rhizomes was observed on the medium containing 60 and 80 gl<sup>-1</sup> sucrose and BA. Presence of BA in the medium with different sucrose concentrations markedly influenced the formation of upright growing shoots; the highest number of shoots was found on the explants cultured on the media with 20 and 30 gl<sup>-1</sup> sucrose. Low and high concentrations of sucrose inhibited upright growing shoots formation and their elongation. Rhizogenesis was not observed on rhizomes growing on the medium without sucrose and with 10 gl<sup>-1</sup> sucrose, either in the presence or absence of NAA„ The number of roots per plantlet on the medium with NAA increased with increasing sucrose levels. The highest sucrose concentrations slightly inhibited roots formation.