CLONAL REGENERATION OF LITCHI (LITCHI CHINENSIS SONN.) VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS

Litchi embryogenic cultures were induced from leaflet explants in recent vegetative flushes of mature phase ‘Brewster’ trees on modified B5 medium containing 400 mg L^-1 glutamine, 200 mg L^-1 casein hydrolysate, 30 g L^-1 sucrose, 3 g L^-1 gellan gum, 4.52 μM 2,4-D and 9.30 μM kinetin.
Embryogenic cultures were maintained on semi-solid MS medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2,4-D and 0.91 μM zeatin at 26 ±1°C in darkness and with 4-5 week subculture intervals.
Maturation of somatic embryos occurred in darkness on semi-solid MS medium without plant growth regulators, and fully enlarged somatic embryos germinated.
Plantlets were maintained on 60 ml half-strength MS medium with 200 mg L^-1 activated charcoal at 26 ±1°C under a 16h photoperiod provided by cool white fluorescent lights.
Plants were successfully transferred to the greenhouse.

International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops and Tropical Species

S.H.T. Raharjo, R.E. Litz

Litchi chinensis, lychee, somatic embryo

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.738.61