Improvement of in vitro gynogenesis induction in onion (Allium cepa L.) using polyamines

MARTÍNEZ, L.E.; AGUERO, C.; LOPEZ, M.E; GALMARINI, C.R.

PLANT SCIENCE

Año: 2000 p. 221 - 226

0168-9452

The effects of polyamines on gynogenetic embryogenesis and regeneration of  plantlets in onion were studied. Whole flowers from two onion genotypes, Valcatorce INTA cultivar and Torrentina population, were used as initial explants. Embryo induction was greater with 2 mM of putrescine for both onion genotypes. Torrentina showed a higher embryo generation capacity (9.5 %) than Valcatorce INTA (2.8 %). The use of spermidine (0.1 mM) after 15 days of culture promoted  further embryo maturation and plantlet formation. Torrentina produced more haploid plants (1.90%). This is the first report of successful use of polyamines for induction of gynogenic embryos and regeneration of onion plantlets.