ESTABLISHING PROTEA LEUCOSPERMUM AND SERRURIA IN VITRO*

Shoot parts of Protea cynaroides, Leucospermum cordifolium x L. line are hybrid and Serruria florida were successfully established in vitro.
Selection of explant material is very important to the successful establishment of Proteaceous plants in vitro.
P. cynaroides shoots sprouting from the lignotuber were the best source for explants for this species.
Shoots of Leucospermum and P. compacta x P. neriifolia which were too soft and hairy failed to grow.

Serruria grew well on AND, MS and WPM media.
Leucospermum and Protea cynaroides were tried only on AND medium and grew well.
Growth was best on paper bridges in Liquid media or on agar containing charcoal.

Buds of Serruria and Leucospermum resumed growth shortly after explanting.
Buds of Protea cynaroides sprouted in vitro only if treated with GA.

Auxin was not needed and inhibited the successful establishment of cultures.
BA was not shown to be essential for the establishment of the cultures but when used at 5 ppm caused proliferation of Serruria shoots.

I International Protea Research Symposium

J. Ben-Jaacov, G. Jacobs

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.185.4