Gynogenesis pecularities of Allium L. vegetables grown in Lithuania

Abstract

Gynogenesis pecularities of seven species, ten varieties and different individuals of the genus Allium L. were investigated in 2002–2004. Flower buds were taken and sterilized, isolated on B5 medium and supplemented with 2 mg • l–1 2,4-D and BA and 100 g • l–1 sucrose. After 30 days, the explants were transferred onto MS medium supplemented with 1 mg • l–1 NAA, 2 mg • l–1 2iP and 100 g • l–1 sucrose, where gynogenic embryos as well as adventitious shoots formed. The highest number (3.2% and 4.1%) of gynogenic embryos was obtained from edible onion and Japenese leek. The gynogenesis frequency in edible onion varieties was on the average four times and the gemmagenesis eight times higher as compared with hybrids. Organogenesis frequency was different in separate plants of the edible onion variety ‘Lietuvos didieji’. Keywords: adventitious shoots, Allium L., genotype, gynogenesis, species, variety