Somatic embryogenesis of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.

The somatic embryogenic potential of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. was investigated using various explants sources and medium components. Leaves of C. morifolium ‘Iridon’ were surface sterilized for 10 minutes in 0.53% NaOCl and 0.1% Triton X-100 prior to culturing. Leaf sections from along the midrib were explanted onto semisolid medium containing Murashige and Skoog macro and micro salts supplemented with 100 mg/1 inositol, 1.0 mg/1 thiamine-HCl, 3-12% sucrose and various combinations and concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Few green cotyledonary stage somatic embryos developed directly from explants incubated in the light for 35 days cultured on medium containing 1.0 mg/1 2,4-D, 0.2 mg/1 BAP and 12% sucrose. Numerous white somatic embryos at various developmental stages formed from explants cultured on medium containing 1.0 mg/1 2,4-D, 0.2 mg/1 BAP and 12% sucrose, and incubated for 28 days in dark, 10 days in light, and then 14 days in dark. Morphologically mature somatic embryos were germinated by subculturing to medium that contained 3% sucrose and was devoid of hormones. Most embryos produced a root only, although three developed shoots and regenerated whole plants.