Cycads in vitro

Abstract

The Cycadales are a group of botanical and evolutionary importance; however, many species face the threat of extinction due to poaching and habitat destruction. The current investigation reviews previous work on in vitro production of cycads, which holds great potential for mass production and germplasm conservation of these unique plants. Megagametophytes and zygotic embryos have been used as explants in most studies, while seedling tissue and new leaf tissue of mature trees have also been used. Callus, coralloid roots and somatic embryos have been formed in vitro but direct organogenesis appears to be the most promising method for mass production and germplasm preservation of the cycads, as recent studies have reported the acclimatization of numerous plantlets less than 200 days after initial culture of zygotic embryos.

Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 24(2): 287-301, 2014 (December)