An Efficient Somatic Embryo Liquid Culture System for Potential Use in Large-Scale and Synchronic Production of Anthurium andraeanum Seedlings

Abstract

<i>Anthurium andraeanum</i> Lind. is the second most important tropical flower in the world flower market. Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in <i>Anthurium</i> has been reported previously; however, a stable and effective method for its commercial use has not been available. In this study, an efficient somatic embryogenesis and liquid culture system for large-scale production of <i>A. andraeanum</i> seedlings was achieved. Building on previous research, this study investigated the main factors for proembryogenic mass (PEM) proliferation, somatic embryo (SE) development, and SE germination in <i>Anthurium</i>. The results showed that relatively low concentrations of plant growth regulators, mineral nutrition, and sucrose promoted PEM proliferation, SE formation, and germination in a liquid culture system. This system can be described as follows: PEMs were induced from leaf blade explants on Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium with half-strength MS macronutrients (1/2 MS) containing 2.0 mg L^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 0.5 mg L^-1 kinetin (KT), and 3% sucrose and were proliferated in ½ MS liquid medium containing 1.0 mg L^-1 2,4-D, 0.5 mg L^-1 KT, and 3% sucrose. The highest proliferation coefficients were 5.11-5.16. PEMs were then transferred to MS medium with 1/8 MS macronutrients (1/8 MS) liquid medium containing 1% sucrose to develop into globular embryos and mature embryos. Finally, the mature embryos were placed on four layers of absorbent filter paper saturated with 1/8 MS liquid medium containing 1% sucrose for germination, and an average of 60 seedlings <i>per</i> gram SEs was obtained. This liquid culture system can be used in large-scale and synchronic production of <i>Anthurium</i> seedlings.