Aseptic culture of cyclamen tuber tissue

Effects of curing, mode of innoculation, and temperature on development of explants and percentage of microbial infection

Abstract

Explants of cyclamen tubers were cultured aseptically on solidified medium, and the possibility of reducing microorganism activity present in the tissue by means of a curing treatment and minimum contact innoculation was examined. At the same time, the effects of NAA and adenine sulfate given in aqueous solution prior to innoculation and the effects of temperature on the organ forming activity of explants were investigated.
1. Curing of the explants not only reduced infection by microorganisms and necrosis of the explants, but also increased the rates of organ formation and the number of organs appreciatively.
2. Minimum contact innoculation of explants reduced infection considerably when explants had been cured for 24 hours.
3. NAA, when used alone, stimulated bud formation at 0.1mg/l, and root formation at 1mg/l. This root inducing effect of 1mg/l NAA was shifted to a bud inducing effect when adenine sulfate was supplied, in combination, at 20 and 100mg/l. When used alone, 100mg/l adenine sulfate inhibited organ formation completely. However, most of the organs formed under the influence of 0.01mg/l NAA were roots when the latter was given in the medium even with adenine sulfate at 20mg/l.
4. Among the temperatures used, diurnal alternation of 20°C day and 10°C night temperature proved best for organ formation.
5. The possibility of applying this technique to vegetative propagation was discussed from a horticultural view point.