In vitro regeneration of Allium aflatunense by somatic embryogenesis

In vitro somatic embryogenesis and bulblet formation of Allium aflatunense in mature zygotic embryo culture were studied. Induction of morphogenesis was achieved on media supplemented with BDS mineral solution, 30 g L-1 sucrose, solidified by 0,7 mg L-1 agar and (in mg L-1): inositol 100.0, nicotinic acid 1.0, vitamin B-1 1.0, vitamin B-6 1.0, casein hydrolysate 100.0, L-proline 500.0, glicin 2.0, 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2 mg L-1) or TDZ (thidiazuron, 2 mg L-1). Zygotic embryos cultured on BDS medium supplemented with 2,4-D formed friable embryogenic calli and some somatic embryos were formed. Somatic embryos were formed directly in the coleoptile and radicule region of zygotic embryos cultured on media with TDZ. The bulblet formation was also observed on BDS medium containing TDZ. Multiplication of somatic embryos, as well as, bulblets were observed after subsequent transfer on hormone free medium. Somatic embryos and bublets germinated after cold treatment (8 weeks) at +4 degrees C.