M.Sc. / The family lridaceae includes genera such as Sparaxis, Freesia and Babiana which are popular flowering plants. The purpose of this study was the propagation in tissue culture of Sparaxis plants. After the applicable techniques have been formulated, the aim was to test the efficiency of the techniques on the other genera. The techniques can then be extended to endangered genera. Apical meristems as well as axillary meristems were dissected aseptically and grown on the medium of Heinz and Mee (1969). It is difficult to acquire aseptic explant material of Sparaxis because of the net-like fibres surrounding the corm. Growth of aseptic meristem explants occurred within a week under 16h light and 25 ± 1 °C. Proliferation of meristems occurred and gave rise to more than one plant from the same explant. The study was extended to seeds as an explant source, as well as the influences of various factors such as pH, carbon source and gelling agents, on the growth and proliferation of the plants. Rooting of the plants was investigated and hardening done for transfer of the plants to the greenhouse.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:9643 |
| Date | 06 September 2012 |
| Creators | Lundie, Vanessa |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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