Micropropagation of mother plants of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for somatic embryogenesis

Abstract

A reliable and standard method was established for micropropagation of the A70-34 selected genotype of lucerne (Medicago sativa L ., genotype A70-34), aimed at reducing contamination problems, seasonal and phenological influences on regeneration and phytosanitary problems of the mother plants, while maintaining the regenerative potential for somatic embryogenesis of the plant tissues . Mother plants were routinely maintained for several subcultures and somatic embryogenesis was regularly obtained from the subcultured explants . Proliferation, rooting and embryogenetic ability of plants cultured for 30 days was greater than those cultured for 20 days . The regenerative potential of tissues from different organs and of triturated and intact whole plants was also tested . Petioles were confirmed as the best source for embryogenesis as far as efficiency and repeatability were concerned, even though regeneration from other explant types was also achieved . Production of somatic embryos through mechanical trituration of the in vitro cultured plants was obtained ; the regeneration ability of the triturated plants was greater than that observed in the intact plants . 193