Regeneration of bulblets on bulb scale segments of hyacinth in vitro.

Abstract

Hyacinth bulbs, cv. Pink Pearl, harvested in June were held at 25 deg C for 1-5 months, after which bulb scales were removed for tissue culture in modified basic medium. The length of the holding period had little effect on the number of bulblets that regenerated, but the average bulb weight increased as the holding period lengthened, attaining a maximum with bulbs held until 1-15 October. There were wide differences in regenerative ability and bulblet growth between bulbs of the same harvest and size. The number of bulblets that regenerated was not affected by scale age, but bulblet growth from the older scales (nos. 7-18) was much better than from the younger scales. Regeneration and growth of explants from the proximal parts of the scales was much better than from the distal parts, and 3-cm-long explants gave much better results than shorter ones. Inverting the explants in the culture medium was favourable to regeneration and growth. In further studies on the effects of temperature and light, bulb regeneration was accelerated by raising the temperature, the optimum being 21.6 deg . The greatest number of bulblets/explant, however, was obtained at 13 deg , and the highest bulb weight at 21.6 or 24.8 deg . There were no differences in regeneration and bulblet growth between scales grown in continuous light or in darkness. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)