Search

In this study, embryo-like structures (ELSs) were induced in four endemic Turkish Cyclamen species (C. cilicium Boiss. et Heldr., C. parviflorum Pobed., C. mirabile Hildebr. and C. pseudibericum Hildebr.) in the presence of 13 combinations of two plant growth regulators (PGRs) (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-(?,?-dimethylallylamino)purine) and four explant types (ovules, ovaries, leaves and petioles). The ratio of callus induction, different stages of ELS formation and the conversion of ELSs to plantlets were quantified. The most effective explant types for callus induction were leaves (56 % for C. cilicium and 59 % for C. parviflorum) and petioles (80 % for C. mirabile and 100 % for C. pseudibericum). Callus growth from the leaves and petioles of C. cilicium was 30 days earlier than that of C. mirabile and C. pseudibericum. In contrast, most callus formed from the petioles of C. pseudibericum (100 %) in medium with 2.5 mg l-1 2,4-D and 1 mg l-1 2iP. The highest number of ELSs was obtained succesfully from petioles (2.5 mg l-1 2,4-D and 1 mg l-1 2iP) and ovaries (2.5 mg l-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg l-1 2iP) of C. pseudibericum, in 39 % and as 32 % of explants, respectively. The percentage conversion of ELSs to plantlets was 38, 31, 16 and 15 % for C. mirabile, C. cilicium, C. pseudibericum and C. parviflorum, respectively. The plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse with 54, 70, 63 and 25 % of C. cilicium, C. mirabile, C. pseudibericum and C. parviflorum plantlets, respectively surviving after transfer to ex vitro conditions. This paper describes a unique, reliable and consistent protocol for the induction of ELSs from four endangered endemic Turkish Cyclamen species, opening up the possibility of preserving these valuable genetic resources in vitro and also other applied biotechnologies that rely on a stable embryogenic or callus-based protocol. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Cyclamen sp. occupies a wide swathe of habitats across Turkey. Ten wild Cyclamen species grow naturally in Turkey, some being endemic. Due to this genetic variation, wild Cyclamen sp. with traits such as flower shape and colour, leaf shape and colour and disease resistance make these species important for cyclamen breeders. In this study, the potential of somatic embryogenesis from different explants (ovules, divided ovary parts, leaves and petiole segments) of 15 separate genotypes from one wild species (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) was studied. Explants were cultured on medium containing half-strength Murashige and Skoog macro- and micro-elements and 2.0mgl-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.8mgl-1 6-(?,?-dimethylallylamino) purine for inducing embryogenic callus. Embryogenic potential differed significantly between explants and genotypes. Although callus was most prolific from petiole explants, somatic embryos formed most efficiently on ovary explants. The ability of petiole, ovary, ovule and leaf explants, when averaged for the 15 genotypes, to form callus, was 34.3, 30.16, 26.6 and 15.6%, respectively while the percentages of somatic embryos formed were 11.3, 8.00, 4.16 and 2.83% of ovary, petiole, leaf and ovule explants, respectively. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. TOVAG 110O102 This research was supported by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) (Project no.: TOVAG 110O102 ) project.