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Challenges associated with micropropagation of Zephyranthes and Hippesatrum sp. (Amaryllidaceae)

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Summary

Conventional propagation of amaryllis, Hippeastrum Herbert sp. hybrids by bulb offsets is slow, seasonal, and variable; additionally, some amaryllis hybrids do not produce many offsets. From seed, it takes approximately 2 yr to flower. Micropropagation of Zephyranthes L. sp. bulbs has challenges related to contamination of stage I cultures as well as genotype differences in culture media requirements. There are literature reports on in vitro propagation of both genera; however, the application of these reports to new cultivars leaves unanswered questions regarding surface disinfestation, explant, nutrient media, and multiplication rates. Surface disinfestation of container-grown Hippeastrum spp. hybrid cv. San Antonio Rose bulbs resulted in contamination rates of 20 to 100% in spite of various treatments, some of which killed the explant. Twin scale explants of San Antonio Rose bulbs responded on a Murashige and Skoog salt medium with 2 mg naphthalene acetic acid per 1, and transfer to soil was not a problem. In contrast, aseptically germinated seed of Zephyranthes sp. served as a suitable source of clean bulb tissue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, Texas

    Roberta H. Smith, Jody Burrows & Kristen Kurten

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  1. Roberta H. Smith
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  2. Jody Burrows
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  3. Kristen Kurten
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Smith, R.H., Burrows, J. & Kurten, K. Challenges associated with micropropagation of Zephyranthes and Hippesatrum sp. (Amaryllidaceae). In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 35, 281–282 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-999-0032-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-999-0032-y

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