Somatic embryogenesis and bulblet regeneration in snakehead fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.)

Induction of in vitro morphogenesis of mature zygotic embryos of Fritillaria meleagris L. was investigated. Somatic embryogenesis and whole plant regeneration were achieved. Isolated zygotic embryos were cultured on MS medium that contained 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar, 250.0 mg/l casein hydrolysate, 250.0 mg/l L-proline, 80 mg/l adenine sulfate and 1.0 mg/l 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) or thidiazuron (TDZ). Embryogenic callus was derived from mature zygotic embryos after 4 weeks on TDZ containing medium. Somatic embryos at the early stages of development arose from the surface of the embryogenic callus. Multiplication of somatic embryos, formation of bulblets and shoot development were observed on the same medium. Scale sections prepared from the formed bulblets were cultured on MS media supplemented with 2, 4-D (0.1 to 10.0 mg/l) and TDZ (0.05 to 2.0 mg/l). Somatic embryos and bulblets were frequently produced from the scale sections. This is a successful report of plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis for this very important medicinal and horticultural plant. Histological observation revealed that plants of F. meleagris L. were regenerated via somatic embryogenesis.