Chemically induced polyploidization in Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel through somatic embryogenesis

Polyploid Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel 'Speedy' plants were obtained from somatic embryos induced on anther filaments exposed to mitosis inhibitors. Primary embryos yielded less polyploid plantlets than secondary embryos. Colchicine could be efficiently replaced by oryzalin or trifluralin (10 muM), resulting in an average yield of 5% polyploids. The mitosis inhibitors were directly added to the induction medium. Morphological differences between diploid and tetraploid S. wallisii hybrids were observed. Throughout our experiments flow cytometry was applied as an unambiguous screening tool. Ploidy breeding within the genus Spathiphyllum holds promises towards the development of tetraploid hybrids with an altered morphology, or triploids with a reduced fertility.