The Effect of Growth Regulators and Explants on Embryogenic Callus Induction in Alstroemeria cv. Fuego

Alstroemeria (Alstroemeriaceae family) is an ornamental monocot mainly produced for its cut flowers. Embryogenic calluses have been employed for gene transformation in Alstroemeria. This research work was undertaken to study the embryogenic callus induction in Alstroemeria cv. Fuego. The vegetative explants (node, internode, leaf) along with various concentrations of auxins (picloram, NAA, IAA, 2, 4-D) either with or without BAP were taken into experimentation. The nodal explants provided the highest embryogenic calluses. The internodal explants resulted in a lower embryogenic callus production than the nodal ones. The leaf explants did not prove any suitable for callus induction. The highest induction rate of embryogenic calluses was obtained for ½ MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l of NAA. As for regeneration, callus was transferred to regeneration medium supplemented with 2 mg/l of BAP.