In vitro production of male sterile Zinnia elegans

Summary

Axillary bud proliferation of Zinnia elegans Jacq. was accomplished from vegetative bud explants of greenhouse-grown plants. Photoperiod extension via metalarc lamps in the greenhouse stock plant environment significantly increased both the quantity and quality of explants. Shoot cultures initiated from axillary buds of identified male sterile plants proliferated best on a medium with 1μM BAP. Microshoots exhibited 80% rooting on media without growth regulators, and 100% acclimatization of rooted plantlets was accomplished in a lighted, high humidity chamber. In vitro- produced male sterile plants were more compact, more heavily branched, and demonstrated earlier flowering than seed-propagated plants. These male steriles were cross pollinated to male fertile lines to verify their ability to serve as a uniform female parent.