Peculiarities of Galanthus nivalis L. and Galanthus plicatus M. Bieb. microbulbs initiation and formation in vitro

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of our investigation was to study the morphogenesis, detect morphogenetic ability and observe the main stages of microbulb regenerant formation of rare galanthus species (Galanthus nivalis L. and Galanthus plicatus M. Bieb.) in vitro using anatomico-morphogenetic methods. Methods. In the study, in vitro plant culture and anatomico-morphogenetic methods were used. Results. It had been determined that to acquire microbulbs of the investigated species, the optimal nutrient medium was Murashige-Skoog with addition of 1.25 mg/l of BA (for G. plicatus) and 2 mg/l of kinetin (for G. nivalis).  The development of G. plicatus callus is distinguished by much slower bud formation than growth of the of sheath leaves. In G. nivalis, the growth of the sheath leaves and bud formation occur almost at the same rate. Conclusuions. G. plicatus and G. nivalis have substantial morphogenetic differences, which reveal themselves in individual reaction to cytokinin-active growth regulators in the nutrient media and different time of regenerant development as well as in order of microbulb parts formation.

Keywords: Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus plicatus, in vitro culture, clonal micropropagation, microbulb, plant anatomy.