Acta Univ Latv (2004) 676: 149–152

Factors affecting morphogenesis in tissue culture of linseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

Factors influencing the morphogenic capability of linseed flax cultivars 'Lirina', 'Barbara' and 'Szaphir' in tissue culture were determined. Two different types of explants (stem segments and hypocotyls) of the three genotypes were cultivated in nutrient media differing in their macro and micro salts concentration and different levels of growth regulators. Our results showed, that callus induction, root formation and shoot regeneration was possible in all types of nutrient media. However, the intensity of morphogenesis was affected not only by the used exogenous growth regulators, but also by the type of explant and genotype. Hypocotyls from all tested genotypes were more responsive in shoot induction than stem segments on all tested media. Calli, shoots and roots were derived at the same time from tested explants in all media depending on the genotype. The best morphogenetic capabilities were demonstrated for cultivar 'Szaphir'. For all cultivars the largest number of shoots was produced on MSB5 nutrient medium supplemented with cytokinin 6-(y-y-dimethylallylamine)purine (2.0 mg 1-1).