The Effect of Picloram on Somatic Embryogenesis of Different Explants of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.)

The present investigation was conducted to study the effects of different concentrations of picloram on somatic embryogenesis induction, development and maturation of three strawberry (Kurdistan, Paros and Camarosa) cultivars. For this purpose, leaf blade, nodal, petiole, stamen and flower bud calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with picloram at 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L concentrations. The concentration of growth regulator, cultivar and explant type were found critical to somatic embryogenesis induction, development and maturation. Results obtained from the studies revealed that all explants with the exception of petiole and stamen incubated on medium formed embryonic calli. 2 mg/L picloram yielded the highest percentage of embryonic calli and number of globular-stage embryos and 1 mg/L picloram yielded the highest number of cotyledonary-stage embryos in all types of explants. The leaf explant calli and Paros cultivar were the most responsive to produce somatic embryogenesis induction, development and maturation