Articles
SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND REGENERATION OF ENDANGERED CYCAD SPECIES
Article number
692_8
Pages
75 – 80
Language
English
Abstract
The Cycadales (Gymnospermae) include some of the world’s most endangered and rare plant species.
Many of the cycad species are known only as single specimen trees (e.g., Encephalartos woodii), as very small populations in the wild (e.g., Ceratozamia hildae) or have become extinct in the wild (e.g., Ceratozamia euryphyllidia). All cycads are dioecious, so that seed production is no longer possible with the rarest of the species.
Conditions for induction of embryogenic cultures from leaves of mature phase trees of several species in the family Zamiaceae have been reported, and plants have been regenerated from somatic embryos.
Embryogenic cultures of two species have been successfully cryopreserved.
These strategies should contribute to the conservation of these endangered species and could lay the basis for commercial propagation of these beautiful but rare plants.
Many of the cycad species are known only as single specimen trees (e.g., Encephalartos woodii), as very small populations in the wild (e.g., Ceratozamia hildae) or have become extinct in the wild (e.g., Ceratozamia euryphyllidia). All cycads are dioecious, so that seed production is no longer possible with the rarest of the species.
Conditions for induction of embryogenic cultures from leaves of mature phase trees of several species in the family Zamiaceae have been reported, and plants have been regenerated from somatic embryos.
Embryogenic cultures of two species have been successfully cryopreserved.
These strategies should contribute to the conservation of these endangered species and could lay the basis for commercial propagation of these beautiful but rare plants.
Authors
R.E. Litz, P.A. Moon, V.M. Chavez Avila
Keywords
Somatic embryo, gymnosperm, Cycadales, conservation
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