Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Gloriosa L.

Friable callus was initiated from shoot apices of Gloriosa superba L. on basal MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (4mg L(-1)) + Kn(5 mg L(-1)) + CH(10 mg L(-1)) + CW(20%). Subculture of callus on the same medium after 4-5 weeks showed induction of large number of somatic embryos, which was confirmed with histological studies. Development of embryoids in plantlet took place when the embryogenic callus was transferred to basal MS medium supplemented with BAP (5 mg L(-1)), CH(50 mg L(-1)) +CW(20%). Roots were developed by subculturing them on to the medium containing Kn or BAP (5 mg L(-1)) and IBA (4 mg L(-1)). Plantlets were successfully transferred to pots containing mixture of soil, sand and farmyard manure (2:1:1).