In vitro Formation of Synthetic Seed from Microshoots of Begonia x hiemalis Fotch

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1MARA University of Technology, Negeri Sembilan Branch, 72000 Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

2 Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

3 Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Artificial seed or synthetic seed formation of Begonia x hiemalis Fotch var. Schwabenland Red had been
induced from leaf explants in vitro. The explants were cultured on (Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium
supplemented with combinations of 1.0 mg/l Benzylamino purine (BAP) and 1.0 mg/l Naphthalene acetic
acid (NAA). After 8 weeks, regenerated microshoots were excised from leaf cultures and microshoots
successfully encapsulated in 3% sodium alginate solution together withMS salt solution and polymerized
within 1.0M CaCl2.2H2O solution for 30 minutes. The beads produced were with firm coats, round beads
and uniform size and in good shape for handling. The results demonstrate that the optimum germination
and survival rate of encapsulated matrix was in MS medium containing 3% sodium alginate solution
supplemented with 3% sucrose, 1.0 mg/l BAP in combination with 1.0 mg/l NAA. The viability of the
encapsulated micro shoots after storage period at 4 C was also determined. High germination rate
(100%) was achieved after 1-3 months storage whereas low germination rate (7-53%) was obtained after
4-6 months storage. The seeds were also successfully germinated in three different germination media
including MS basal, garden soil and vermiculite.

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