Bud - Callus
and
Somatic Embryogenesis Culture
Bud Culture
A procedure involving the use of tissue culture tecnique
has been developed for rapid clonal propogation of anthuriums.
Aseptic cultures are initiated by excising vegetive shoots
of approximatetly 1/13" at their base; disinfecting the excised
shoots; rinsing the shoots in sterile water; and placing the
shoots in nutrient medium of MS.
When a shoot has grown into a plantlet of Ø.8
to 1.5" in length, miniature cuttings of two nodes each are
prepared. The basal cuttings are placed on medium of MS inorganic
nutrients.
On this medium, multiple shoots will be induced on
the basal cuttings. The apical cuttings are maintained as
a stock from which more basal cuttings can be obtained from
later.
When multiple shoots have grown into plantlets of
sufficient size, they are also used as a source of basal cuttings
to hasten the propoagtion process. Plantlets are rooted on
agar medium of the same nutrient constituents of the initial
culture. Rooted plantlets are ready to be deflasked.
Callus Culture and Somatic
Embryogenesis
Anthuriums can also be cultured in vitro through callus
culture. Callus culture involves induction of callus tissue
( an unorganized mass of cells) from anthurium explants (usually
petiole or leaf explant with major vein). The explants are
disinfected, then placed on a modified MS medium.
Once callus has formed, callus tissue is transferred
to a modified MS shoot and induction medium. Propagation of
anthuriums through the use of callus culture is more rapid
than use of bud culture. However, the mutation rate may be
greater for some cultivars. Limiting the number of in vitro
cycles has been reported to minimize plant variation.
Propoagation of anthuriums by use of somatic embryogenesis
is being tested. Somatic embryos are thought to originate
from one cell rather than from multiple cells (ie. callus)
and tend to have less genetic variation. Explants are placed
on a modified MS medium for somatic embryo production. Somatic
embryos are moved onto regeneration medium to form plantlets.
This method, like callus culture, is a much more rapid means
of micropropagation than bud culture.
Deflasking
The ideal growing conditions (high humidity, nutrient
availability, and freedom from disease) within the culture
vessel produces "soft" plantlets which must be hardened or
acclimatized before they can be put in the field.
If a fogging or misting bench is available, plants
may be transplanted into community pots and left on the bench
for several weeks until roots become established. Community
pots can also be placed in a home made humidity box
for several weeks.
Once roots are established, the plants are moved out
of the mist or humidity box. Plants can then be fertilized
lightly with a complete fertilizer. Anthurium plantlets are
easily damaged if over - fertilized. Plants at this
stageare very susceptible to bacterial blight, thrips,
rain damage, and slugs.
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