Tim Wing Yam

Callus formation and plantlet development from axillary buds of taro

Excised lateral buds of taro [Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta (L.) A.F. Hill] developed into plantlets and formed callus if cultured on media containing taro extract. α-Naphthaleneacetic acid enhanced the process but only if taro extract was also present. The tissue requirements for this variety of taro are different from those of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) A.F. Hill.

“The orchids have been a splendid sport”—an alternative look at Charles Darwin’s contribution to orchid biology

Charles Darwins work with orchids and his thoughts about them are of great interest and not a little pride for those who are interested in these plants, but they are generally less well known than some of his other studies and ideas. Much has been published on what led to his other books and views. However, there is a paucity of information in the general literature on how Darwins orchid book came about. This review will describe how The Various Contrivances by Which Orchids Are Fertilised by Insects came into being and will discuss the taxonomy of the orchids he studied. It also will concentrate on some of the less well-known aspects of Darwins work and observations on orchids-namely, rostellum, seeds and their germination, pollination effects, and resupination-and their influence on subsequent investigators, plant physiology, and orchid science.

Induction of callus from axillary buds of taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta, Araceae) and subsequent plantlet regeneration.

SummaryAxillary buds of taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta, Araceae) cultured on half strength Murashige-Skoog medium (HMS) containing taro extract (HMSTE) and 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid produce a compact, hard, slow growing callus which is not very active morphogenetically and produces only a few plantlets. When cultured on HMSTE plus 5 mg 1−1 each of naphthaleneacetic acid and benzyl adenine (HMSNB) the buds produce a fast growing, friable and morphogenetically active callus. Meristematic regions form on the friable callus after 30 days on HMSNB. If transferred to HMSTE at this point the callus gives rise to plantlets. Addition of taro extract to the media is required for the culture of buds, induction of callus and plantlet regeneration.

Plant regeneration in vitro of South Pacific taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta cv. Akalomamale, Aracea)

SummaryAxillary bud expiants from South Pacific (Solomon Islands) taro, Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta cv. Akalomamale (Araceae) cultured on a modified Murashige-Skoog medium containing 1 mg NAA 1−1 and TE formed callus and produced multiple plantlets. Explants died if NAA was present at levels lower than 0.1 mg 1−1. BA was not required and may have been inhibitory. Plantlets developed faster and became larger following transfer to a hormone-free medium two weeks after the start of culture. Fully grown plants were established in a potting mix and are growing well in a greenhouse.

General Subject Index

Pu n , 167 2D-1D, 186 A Aerosols, 154 B Boiling, 115 C Carbon dioxide, 138 Continuous finite element method, 201 Correlative neutrons, 350 D Data assimilation, 325 Dead time, 350 Diffusion acceleration, 201 Discontinuous penalty function, 226 Discrete ordinates, 186 method, 201 Discretization technique, 240 E ENDF, 167 Expansion method, 292 Explosion potential, 255 G Galerkin weak form, 201 GEANT4, 370 (CCA) H Heat exchanger, 138 Homogenization, 292 HTGRs, 154

Principles of Plant Biotechnology, an Introduction to Genetic Engineering in Plants.

Plant molecular biology cloning plant genes vectors for gene cloning cultural tools and techniques rapid clonal propagation crop breeding industrial plant products.

The Genus Cyclamen.

History of the genus cyclamen as a genus botanical characters pollination and compatibility aberrant forms cytology of the genus conservation cultivation growing cyclamen under glass propagation pests and diseases classification of the genus taxonomic treatment description of the genus cyclamen key to the species hybrids.