Culture of shoot apical meristem and flower buds in african violet (Saintpaulia ionantha wendl)

Abstract

Flowering of African violet starts with the transition of shoot axillary meristem into inflorescence meristem. To induce flowing, shoot apical meristems of in vitro 6 month-old plants are put on MS medium supplemented with 1mg/l BA, 0.1mg/l IAA, 1.4ng/l salicylic acid. On MS medium with 1mg/l BA, 0.1mg/l IAA, and 2.5x10^-4 g/l AgNO_3­, flower buds develop into flowers with brighter colors. The results have paved the way to in vitro flower production of African violet plants.