In vitro Tuberization and Plant Regeneration of Habenaria bractescens Lindl., an Argentinean wetland terrestrial orchid

MEDINA R.D; E.A. FLACHSLAND; A. M. GONZALEZ; M. FALOCI; L.A. MROGINSKI

Plant Cell Tiss. Organ Cult.

Año: 2008 vol. 97 p. 91 - 101

Tuberization in many terrestrial orchids represents the most important physiological process for reproduction and survival. An in vitro controlled and reproducible tuberization and plant regeneration system was designed for Habenaria bractescens. Multinodal segments were incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and sucrose. After 45 days, the explants developed root tubers in vitro in 8 of the 12 media assayed. MS medium with 87.6 mM sucrose plus 4.4 lM BAP was one of the most effective for stimulating root tubers. Plants derived from in vitro root tubers were successfully transferred to the greenhouse without any acclimatization. The morphology and anatomy of the regenerated underground organs were examined to find identifying and distinguishing features. The protocol to regenerate root tubers of H. bractescens will be useful to study the basic aspects and control of tuberization and to carry out restoration programs.