Protocol for callus induction of Camellia japonica L. (Tea rose)
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Date
2015
Journal Title
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Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Camellia japonica (the Japanese Camellia) is one of the best known species of the genus Camellia.
Among the Camellia species, the economic value of the C. japonica ranks the highest due to its
beautiful ornamental flowers, edible uses (dried flowers, oil), medicinal uses (astringent,
antihaemorrhagic, haemostatic, salve and tonic) and material uses (dye, oil) (Salinero et al., 2012).
Although C. japonica has a high ornamental and medicinal value, it is not popular in tea cultivating
tropical agricultural country like Sri Lanka yet. Further, it was revealed that the difficulties of
propagating Tea Roses are significant and therefore growers discourage to propagate them. Also C.
japonica multiplication and improvement through seeds is rare due to poor seed set in the white and
pink varieties present in Sri Lanka. C. japonica is usually propagated only using stem cuttings in Sri
Lanka at present. But rooting was very poor in both pink and white varieties (Fernando and Alwis,
2013). But a good economic potential can be achieved in Sri Lanka due to its beautiful ornamental
flower which is having long life span if it is scientifically developed to get different colors and shapes.
Therefore, it is very important to in vitro propagation of C. japonica in large scale to commercially
enhance its real value especially in the up country and mid country regions of Sri Lanka.
Therefore this study was aimed to develop a protocol to induce the callus culture of Camellia japonica
L (Tea Rose).
Material and Methods
This research study was conducted at Tissue Culture laboratory at Uva Wellassa University during
the period of 22.04.2014 to 15.08.2014. The explants were collected from the Ury estates in
Balangoda Plantations and Hakgala Botanical Garden, Hakgala, Nuwara Eliya.
This study was conduct to develop an efficient protocol for rapid and prolific callus induction of
Camellia japonica (Tea Rose). In the first experiment, leaves and nodal segments used as explants.
Nine different combinations of 20% sodium hypochlorite for three different time durations (20
minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes ) and 70% ethanol for three different time durations (30 seconds, 1
minute, 1 and half minutes ) were used to select the best sterilization method. Number of
contaminated vessels were counted after one week. Above nine treatment combinations were
succeeded only for C. japonica leaves. Because of again used another nine different treatment
combinations for surface sterilization of nodes by adjusting soaking time duration in the 20% sodium
hypochlorite (35 minutes, 40 minutes, 45 minutes).
In the second experiment, leaves, nodal segments and un opened flower bud flower petals used as
explants. The sterilized explants were cultured on MS medium with three different hormone
combinations of 3-indolebutric acid (IBA) and 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) to investigate the effect
on callus induction.
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Tea Industrials, Tea Technology