Plant regeneration from callus and cell suspension cultures of Gerbera jamesonii cv. 'Diablo'

Summary

Plant regeneration was achieved from callus and cell suspension cultures derived from disc floret, ray floret and petal explants of Gerbera jamesonii cv. Diablo, where the highest callus induction was achieved with 1.5 mg NAA, 2 mg NAA and 2 mg 2,4-D/litre, respectively. The highest number of calluses producing shoots and the highest average number of shoots per callus was recorded on MS basal medium supplemented with 2 mg benzyladenine/litre + 0.5 mg IAA/litre. The calluses derived from all explants cultured in media containing 2 mg 2,4-D/litre were highly friable, had poor regeneration potential and were selected for cell suspension studies. Cell suspensions were initiated with liquid MS medium containing 2 mg 2,4-D/litre and subcultured weekly to fresh medium to obtain maximum cell density. The cultures were allowed to grow into microcolonies in liquid medium and subsequently into calluses on semi-solid and solid MS medium. Calluses differentiated into adventitious shoots on MS medium containing 2 mg benzyladenine and 0.5 mg IAA/litre. Plantlets were obtained from in vitro -derived shoots with 56-60% survival after 30 days of their transfer to pots.