ARS | Publication request: Effect of Salicylic Acid on Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Hedychium bousigonianum

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 10, 2008
Publication Date: June 8, 2009
Citation: Sakhanokho, H.F., Kelley, R.Y., Pounders Jr, C.T. 2009. Effect of Salicylic Acid on Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Hedychium bousigonianum. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference pg. 237-240.

Interpretive Summary: Hedychium bousigonianum is an ornamental plant with beautiful fragrant white flowers that belongs to the ginger family. The objective of this study was to develop an in vitro micropropagation system based on somatic embryogenesis using salicylic acid (SA), a growth regulator that plays many roles in plant growth and development. Somatic embryogenesis is a regeneration scheme that is generally preferred over other in vitro developmental processes such as organogenesis for plant transformation and other in vitro genetic manipulations. Various concentrations of salicylic acid were included in the culture media. An efficient micropropagation system was established, and addition of salicylic acid substantially improved the in vitro regeneration of Hedychium bousigonianum.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to induce somatic embryogenesis in Hedychium bousigonianum Pierre ex Gagnepain and assess the influence of salicylic acid (S) on somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos and subsequently regenerated plants were successfully obtained 30 days after transfer of embryogenic callus in all treatments. Addition of SA (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 µM) to the media had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the number of somatic embryos produced per gram of callus. All SA-containing treatments performed better than the control. The optimum somatic embryo production was reached at 75 and 100 µM SA, and a decrease in somatic embryogenesis was observed at higher concentrations.