IN VITRO CULTURES OF YOUNG STAMENS OF TRADESCANTIA

Resumen

Young stamens of Tradescantia clone 02 were cultured in vitro on agar media containing various combinations of three plant hormones, IAA, GA₃ and kinetin. Growth and coloration of stamen hairs proved to be controlled by some hormones. The maximum growth of stamen hairs was observed when cultured on the medium which contained 5.0 mg/1 IAA, 1.0 mg/1 GA₃ and 01 mg/1 kinetin. As much as a 10-cell increase was observed in stamen hairs in this case, although the growth observed did not reach completely the normal growth in vivo. The hormonal concentrations of the medium which induced the maximum coloration were 0.1 mg/1 IAA, 1.0 mg/1 GA₃ and 0.1 mg/1 kinetin. Higher concentration of sucrose also seemed to be effective in promoting coloration.
The pattern of coloration indicated the existence of some trigger(s) to coloration, and hormones were considered to have some effects on the trigger(s). The distribution pattern of colored cells along hairs (more coloration at hair tips) supported the idea that completion of cell divisions is one of the triggers of the coloration.
The present study proved the possibility of developing in vitro culture techniques of Tradescantia stamens.