Shoot Formation on Floral Organs of Japanese Iris in Vitro

Abstract

For the purpose of achieving micropropagation in Japanese iris (Iris ensata Thunb.), various explants, namely pistils, perianths, stamens, anthers, filaments, perianth-ovary junctions, ovaries and pedicels, were cultured in vitro on MS media with or without BA and NAA.
Shoot formation was observed from explants of perianth-ovary junctions and upper portions of ovaries on media containing BA and NAA. Explants of lower portions of ovaries formed shoots only on the medium containing 5 mg•liter^-1 BA and 5 mg•liter^-1 NAA. A higher frequency of shoot formation was observed in explants of perianth-ovary junctions than those of ovaries.
No roots were differentiated from any explants except those from ovaries and pedicels. Most explants of lower portions of ovaries showed root formation on media with BA and NAA, but those from upper portions showed root formation only on a medium with 1 mg•liter^-1 each of BA and NAA. Those of pedicels showed root formation with a frequency of 33 percent on a medium without plant growth regulators.
Callus formation occurred from ovary and stamen explants. The frequency of callus formation from ovary explants was 100 percent on media with BA and NAA. Stamen explants showed 11 percent callus formation on a 5 mg•liter^-1 BA plus 5 mg•liter^-1 NAA medium.