Plant regeneration from callus and suspension cultures of Valeriana edulisssp procera via simultaneous organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis

Plants of the genus Valeriana produce irioid esters of biotechnological int erest, known as valepotriates. The regeneration of Valeriana edulis ssp. pr ocera via indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from leaf-derive d callus and suspension cultures, is presented. For induction of callus, le aves were cultured on semisolid MS medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophe noxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin. Embryogenic and organogenic callus dev elopment was observed after 16 weeks. Calli were transferred to semisolid a nd liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with kinetin and 1-n aphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Appearance of shoot and somatic embryo occurre d 4 weeks later. Shoots were rooted and somatic embryos were germinated and were transferred to the greenhouse. A better organogenic and embryogenic r esponse was observed from suspension cultures. Histological observations of morphogenic callus revealed that both somatic embryos and shoots arose fro m the same type of callus. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland L td. All rights reserved.