A protocol was developed for in vitro propagation of Heliconia psittacorum L.f. by culture of terminal and axillary buds of rhizomes. Cultures were initiated on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 40 μm BA, 150 ml coconut water/liter, 30 g sucrose/liter, and 2 g Gelrite/liter. Shoot multiplication was achieved on the above medium without coconut water, but supplemented with 10 μm BA. Shoots were rooted on MS basal medium and successfully acclimated to greenhouse conditions. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1 H-purin-6-amine (BA).

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The level of ethylene accumulated in morphogenic callus cultures of Heliconia psittacorum L.f. was only one quarter that of non-morphogenic cultures. The rate of ethylene production in the morphogenic callus cultures during early stages of differentiation of protocorm-like bodies leading to plantlet regeneration was lo-fold higher than that during callus proliferation. In cultures sealed with gastight serum caps, fresh weight gain was reduced 2-to 3-fold compared to those that were closed with Kaput&). Treatment with l-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (2 100 PM) caused complete inhibition of plant regeneration from the morphogenic callus on subsequent culture under inductive conditions. Silver nitrate and aminoethoxyvinylglycine also reduced plant regeneration. These results indicate that while high levels of ethylene were inhibitory, a low level of endogenous ethylene production may be necessary during the plant regeneration phase in callus cultures of Heliconia.Abbreviations: 24-D = 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; AC = activated charcoal; ACC = 1 -aminocyclopropane-I-carboxylic acid; AVG = aminoethoxyvinylglycine; BM = basal medium; CH = casein hydrolysate; DM = development medium; MM = maintenance medium; PLB = protocorm-like body