MICROPROPAGATION OF SELECTED SOMACLONES OF BEGONIA AND SAINTPAULIA

Begonia x elatior plantlets which regenerated from leaf disk callus sh owed variations in plant morphology, number of flowers per plant, and flower size. Variations in flowering period, number of flowers per pla nt, and flower morphology were observed in Saintpaulia ionantha L. pla nts directly regenerated from leaf disk explants. The cytokinins, benz ylaminopurine and zeatin, tested in the culture medium did not affect the basic plant characteristics including flower colour which remained stable in both species. Micropropagation of selected somaclones havin g the desirable trait of high number of flowers per plant was stable i n the MV2 and MV3 generations.