Induction of embryos and plantlets from anthers of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.—An endangered medicinal herb

Abstract

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. is an endangered medicinal herb belonging to Amaryllidaceae. Anthers cultured in MS liquid medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP or 0.5-1.0 mg/L NAA formed multicellular pollen. However, they did not develop further into embryos. The multicellular pollen cultured with 0.2-1.0 mg/L 2,4-D developed into embryos when transferred to a hormone free medium. Continued culture of embryos on the medium free of growth substances resulted only in root formation. The embryos were, however, converted into plants when they were transferred to a medium with BAP (0.5 mg/L). The matured plants were successfully transferred to the soil.