INVITRO EMBRYO CULTURE AND INDUCTION OF MULTIPLE SHOOTS IN LYCHEE (LITCHI-CHINENSIS SONN)

Immature embryos of different sizes and ages from commercial varieties of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) were cultured in a range of different media. Embryos as small as 3 mm could be cultured using m vitro techniques and subsequently grown into plants. MS solid medium with 2% sucrose supplemented with 150 ml l-1 coconut water was most effective in stimulating the germination of immature lychee embryos. Embryos of lychee were treated to induce adventitious buds from embryonic shoots as a means of achieving multiplication. The different varieties exhibited differences in response, with Bengal embryonic shoots producing 15 adventitious buds after pretreatment with 100 mg l"1 BAP for 3 h. Root formation was achieved in 65% of adventitious shoots using MS medium supplemented with 0-5 mg r1 NAA and activated charcoal. These plants were successfully deflaslced and grown on in the glasshouse.This technique provides of means of producing some multiple shoots from lychee embryos and has value for multiplication in a breeding program where a method of micropropagation is unavailable. © 1992 Annals of Botany Company.