Direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in lily

Aiming at in vitro plantlet regeneration via direct somatic embryogenesis in lily (Lilium spp.), stamens, styles, filaments and flower pedicel sections of the Oriental hybrid ‘Star Gazer’ and the Asiatic hybrid ‘Pollyanna’ were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with NAA (ß-naphthaleneacetic acid), 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), dicamba or picloram at different concentrations. None of ‘Pollyanna’ explants showed any cell proliferation and browned and died after four weeks from culture onset. Styles and filaments of ‘Star Gazer’ could sustain organogenesis and callus formation, according to the different auxin treatments. Flower pedicel sections of ‘Star Gazer’ cultured on media containing NAA, dicamba or picloram underwent direct somatic embryogenesis. When transferred to hormone-free medium, somatic embryos readily germinated forming complete plantlets.