Regeneration of Lachenalia Species from Leaf Explants

Abstract

The physiological stage of donor plants determined to a great extent the morphogenic potential of Lachersalia (Jacq.) hybrid leaves, but the optimal stage for various cultivars was different. Contact of the bud-forming adaxial epidermal cells with the medium did not significantly stimulate in vitro bud formation on Lachenalia leaf explants, but resulted in the formation of callus from the buds of certain hybrids. Wounding on either the adaxial or the abaxial side of leaves had a stimulating effect on certain hybrids, but others did not respond significantly. A reduction in the length of explants from 10 to 3.3 mm resulted in an increase in the total number of buds formed by a specific amount of explant tissue (width of explant = 15 mm).