Micropropagation of Selected Desert-Adapted Species

Abstract

<jats:p>Tissue culture methods have been developed for a number of desert-adapted species which have potential economic value. These species include gum tragacanth (Astragalus gossypinus), candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), guayule (Parthenium argentatum), cliff rose (Cowania stansburiana and C. subintegra), bottle tree (Brachychiton populneum), red squill (Urginea maritima), Arizona agave (Agave arizonica), and spider lily (Pancratium littorale). Axillary shoot proliferation for the dicotyledenous species of this group is induced using concentrations of 2 mg/L BAP, whereas the rooting requirements vary considerably. Micropropagation of the bulb-producing species, is accomplished by aseptic culture of bulb scales in darkness, followed by shoot proliferation of the bulblets and rooting. Micropropagation of Agave requires adventitious shoot formation from a callus intermediate followed by direct caulogenesis from subculture shoots and subsequent rooting.</jats:p><jats:p>The potential benefit of these desert-adapted species and the usefulness of the micropropagation procedures will be discussed.</jats:p>