In vitro somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Zantedeschia hybrids

A method for regeneration of plants from tuber explants of a Zantedeschia hybrid via somatic embryogenesis was developed. In vitro cultures were initiated starting from both anthers and tubers. Somatic embryogenesis was only achieved from tuber explants. 6-Benzyladenine (BA) at 0.6 or 2 mg l⁻¹ in combination with 2 mg l⁻¹ α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) yielded the highest number of embryos per explant. The somatic embryos converted into plantlets on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with vitamins, micro- and macronutrients, 1 mg l⁻¹ 6-τ-τ-(dimethylallylamino)-purine (2iP), 3% sucrose and 0.7% agar. This is the first report on induction of somatic embryogenesis in Zantedeschia.