Abstract
Methods of propagating and storing fern sporophytic plants through encapsulation of the callus in gel beads were examined. Morphogenetic potential callus were induced from an axillary bud of a fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides cultured on MS medium containing 3% sucrose and 10−5 M BA solidified with 0.2% Gelrite. Sporophytic plants were regenerated from subcultured callus, when transplanted to BA-free medium. Callus pieces were encapsulated in arginate gel beads with or without preculture on regrowth medium. Callus tissues prepared by encapsulation and stored at 20 or 30°C for 28 days successfully germinated and regenerated to sporophytic plants. Thus, encapsulation appears to be a technique that could be used for the stable propagation of in vitro cultures of fern sporophytic plants and for the storage of horticulturally important or endangered germplasm of ferns.
