Effect of 2,4-D on embryo formation and its morphology in anther culture of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.)

The pathway of embryos formed anther culture in herbaceous peony was influenced by addition of 2,4-D. MS medium with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) alone did not arise direct embryogenesis, but was proliferate callus. Embryos through calli were produced on medium containing 0.2 mg/1 zeatin or without growth regulators. Direct embryogenesis was obtained from MS basal medium. However, after the anthers were cultured on medium with 0.1 mg/1 2,4-D, 3 g/1 AC, 30 g/1 sucrose, 2 g/1 gelrite for 40 days. Its efficiency (32.3 %) was markedly improved when anthers cultured on medium without 2,4-D. Embryo morphology was also affected by the 2,4-D used in medium. The induction of normal embryos with two cotyledons was higher in the embryos formed through direct embryogenesis than those formed callus. The embryos formed from calli were mainly showed abnormal embryo with one, three, four cotyledons or hors and bowling pin type.