In vitro culture ofBellevalia romana (L.) Rchb. I. Plant regeneration through adventitious shoots and somatic embryos

Summary Callus induction, adventitious shoot and root formation, and somatic embryogenesis were investigated in root, cotyledon and mesocotyl cultures ofBellevalia romana (L.) Rchb. grown on a synthetic nutrient medium containing different plant hormones. The combination of naphtaleneacetic acid plus benzylaminopurine was very effective in causing callus growth and plant regeneration from mesocotyl explants. On the contrary 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid caused suppression of shoot bud development in the same type of callus. Both cotyledon and root derived calli showed a low growth rate and did not regenerate shoots but only roots. Differentiation of somatic embryos which eventually developed into plantlets was promoted by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in suspension cultures. The results are discussed in relation to studies on nuclear behaviour during different morphogenetic pathways.