INTERACTIONS OF ANCYMIDOL WITH SUCROSE AND ALPHA-NAPHTHALENEACETIC ACID IN PROMOTING ASPARAGUS (ASPARAGUS-OFFICINALIS L.) SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS

Interactions of varying ancymidol concentrations with those of alpha-n aphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or sucrose in embryo induction medium were related to the production and development of asparagus (Asparagus off icinalis L.) somatic embryos, and to the ability of these embryos to g erminate. A significant sucrosexancymidol interaction was observed onl y for the production of bipolar embryos; 4% sucrose with 0.75 mg l(-1) ancymidol gave the best result, 78 g(-1) callus. The frequency of glo bular embryos decreased as sucrose or ancymidol concentrations increas ed. Sucrose concentration affected embryo germination; 3% and 4% sucro se were optimal with approximately 60% and 40% of bipolar and globular embryos germinating, respectively. Significant ancymidolxNAA interact ions were observed for the production of bipolar and globular embryos and their germination. Varying ancymidol concentrations affected embry o production and germination in combination with 0.1 mg l(-1) NAA, but not with 1.0 mg l(-1) NAA. The treatment combination of 0.1 mg l(-1) nTAA with 0.75 mg l(-1) ancymidol produced the most bipolar embryos, 6 4 g(-1) callus, and the greatest percentages of bipolar and globular e mbryos germinated, 63% and 42%, respectively.