Effect of Colchicine on Survival Rate, Physiology and Morphology of <I> Anthurium andraeanum </I> cv. Micky Mouse

Abstract

In order to generate genetic viability in Anthurium andraeanum cv. Micky Mouse, nodular callus was used to treat with 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2% colchicine for 24, 46 and 72 h. Average survival rate of the calli after 21 days of culture was significantly decreased (P<0.01) when the concentration was increased to 0.1%. Treated nodular callus at 72 h gave the lowest average number of survival percentage at 45.95, significant difference (P<0.01) to the other two times. The average of stomatal size and chloroplast numbers in guard cells were increased when concentration of colchicine increased. Explants treated with 0.2% colchicine for 72 h gave the highest average stomatal size and chloroplast numbers at 1.92 µm in width and 1.91 µm in length, and 39.06 chloroplasts/stomata, respectively. Abnormality of stomata such as, stomatal shapes and chloroplast in guard cell were observed. Leaf sizes of plants obtained from all concentrations and durations of colchicine showed no significant difference. Chimeral leaves were obtained which could be classified into three categories: sectorial, periclinal and combination of sectorial and periclinal.