Microspore culture of Zantedeschia aethiopica: The role of monosaccharides in sporophytic development

Abstract

Various factors affecting microspore culture were studied in Zantedeschia aethiopica. Starting microspores at late-unicellular stage, NLN as culture medium and treatment of culture at 32°C for 2 days prior to incubation at 25°C, gave the best early sporophytic response. A comparison of different carbohydrates applied in culture medium showed that glucose and fructose favored more occurrences of early sporophytic divisions than sucrose and maltose. However, multicellular structures stopped growing in continues cultivation with each carbohydrate. The development of multicellular structures was sustained and calli were formed by culturing microspores in the medium containing glucose or fructose for initial 7 days, subsequently changing to the medium containing sucrose. Thus, this study revealed an essential and novel role of monosaccharides in sporophytic development of Z. aethiopica microspores, whereas, it is known that monosaccharides are less effective for many other crops. In total, 24 calli were obtained, of which, 18 produced plants. Chromosome number counting of 18 plants indicated that 8 were haploid, 6 were diploid and the rest were other numeric chromosomal constitutions.

Key words: Calla lily, haploid plant production, isolated microspore culture, glucose, fructose.