Kazuhiko Shimasaki

In vitro seed germination and tracking the seedling growth of eustoma

ABSTRACT Eustoma is a slow-growing flowering plant and as such its seed germination and seedling growth is a challenge in tropical regions. To date, there have been no reports on successful eustoma seed germination and seedling growth in an in vitro culture of sucrose in MS media. This research tracked eustoma seed germination and seedling growth in vitro using different sucrose levels and culture medium strengths. In this study, 3% sucrose in half-strength MS medium was effective for the germination and growth of eustoma seedlings. Increased sucrose levels in half-strength MS medium significantly affected days to leaf pair and biomass production. The results also revealed that a higher root:shoot ratio with a high sucrose level optimizes survivability ex vitro. Seedlings grown in vitro without sucrose did not survive when transferred ex vitro, whereas those grown in high levels of sucrose showed a higher survival rate and faster growth.