SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN LIQUID CULTURES OF A TETRAPLOID ALSTROEMERIA

A simple and efficient procedure was developed for regeneration of a t etraploid cultivar of Alstroemeria (A. pelegrina x A. psittacina) via somatic embryogenesis in liquid cultures. Embryogenic callus induced f rom mature zygotic embryos, cultured on MS medium supplemented with 40 mu M NAA and 20 mu M kinetin, was used as inoculum for liquid culture s. Pre-culture of the callus on MS medium supplemented with 80 mu M NA A for two days was essential for cell proliferation in the liquid medi um. Embryogenic cell aggregates, obtained by sieving through a 750 mu m nylon mesh, continued to proliferate in media containing 10 or 20 mu M NAA and 10 or 20 CIM kinetin. When transferred to a semi-solid half strength MS medium supplemented with casein hydrolysate, cell aggrega tes successfully differentiated into plantlets which later grew to mat urity under greenhouse conditions.