Source, etiolation and orientation of explants affect in vitro regeneration of Venus fly-trap (Dionaea muscipula)

Abstract

In vitro culture of Venus fly-trap (Dionaea muscipula) was initiated using flower stalk explants. Activated charcoal was required for bud initiation, but omitted in the subculture of regenerated plantlets. Regenerated plants were subsequently used as explant source for investigations concerning effects of source of tissue, etiolation, orientation and illumination of leaf explants on plant regeneration. Etiolation of source plantlets increased the rate of regeneration from explants and decreased explant failure. Generally, adventitious buds developed at the adaxial side and proximal end of an explant. However, when explants were incubated in the dark, 20–30% of bud initiation occurred at the distal end. The site of shoot regeneration on a leaf explant was affected by both illumination and orientation of explants. Placing an explant adaxial side up resulted in the highest rate of regeneration. The most effective condition for plantlet regeneration was found with etiolated petioles incubated with the adaxial side facing the light.