Ci. Castano et Mp. Deproft, SEED SET IN CICHORIUM-INTYBUS L BY POLLINATION OF FLOWERS DEVELOPED IN-VITRO, Plant cell, tissue and organ culture, 46(3), 1996, pp. 211-218
Formation of viable seeds of Cichorium intybus L. was achieved in an i
n vitro system. Flower formation, pollination, fertilization, embryoge
nesis and seed development occurred in vitro on chicory root explants
on culture medium lacking plant growth regulators. After flower induct
ion under a 24-h daylength treatment, the explants were transferred to
a 16-h daylength at 40 mu E m(-2)s(-1) irradiance for pollination and
further seed development. Negative results were obtained when root ex
plants were maintained continuously under a 24-h daylength during the
whole culture period. Lower seed set was obtained when the cultures we
re at low irradiance. The need of a dark period and adequate level of
irradiance are suggested as important factors to obtain viable seeds.
The developed in vitro system can be used as a model to study the fact
ors controlling the reproductive processes, and for the study of self-
incompatibility in chicory.