Direct Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

In vitro regeneration of two cultivars of carnation, namely, ‘Nelson’ and ‘Impulse’ was studied through direct somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos were formed directly on petal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 mg 1-1) of picloram. Maximum embryogenesis was obtained with 1 and 2 mg/l picloram. Globular shaped embryos were developed into cotyledonary-shaped embryos when they were transferred to the growth regulator-free media containing different concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 %) of sucrose. Increasing sucrose concentrations in the culture media enhanced somatic embryos development. Cotyledonary somatic embryos developed plantlets when they were transferred to the half-strength MS culture medium containing 3% sucrose. Plantlets also continued to grow under greenhouse conditions.