In vitro somatic embryogenesis in Typhonium trilobatum Schott.

An in vitro protocol was developed for the production of plants via somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures derived from petiole and leaf explants of Typhonium trilobatum. Optimum callus formation was achieved on semisolid Murashige and Skoog's [9] medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L-1 kinetin and 3.0 mgL(-1) naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) after 6 weeks of culture. Somatic embryogenesis was achieved upon transferring the callus to a medium containing 1.0 mg L-1 kinetin and 0.25 mg L-1 NAA. In vitro tuberization was also achieved on medium containing 1/2 strength MS basal salts supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1 Kinetin and 0.1 mg L-1 NAA. Embryo maturation and germination was achieved on the MS basal salts supplemented with 0.01 mg L-1 NAA and 2% (w/v) sucrose. Some thousands somatic embryo derived plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse and eventually planted in the open field.