IN VITRO FLOWERING OF REGENERATED SPINACH PLANTS
Regenerated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) maintained under a 10-h photoperiod (65 uE m-2 s-1) after an incubation period on a GA-containing medium were induced to flower in vitro. The plantlets were regenerated from callus initiated on MS medium with 2.0 mg L-1 kinetin and 0.5 mg L-1 2,4-D and were subsequently transferred to a medium containing 2.0 mg L-1 kinetin, 1.0 mg L-1 GA, and 0.01 mg L-1 2-4,D. While on the regeneration medium, the cultures were exposed to a long-day photoperiod. Regenerants were transferred to an IBA-containing medium for rooting, after which flowering was observed. In vitro flowering plantlets exhibited male and female flowers depending on the sex of the explant donor. Female plantlets developed seeds in the culture vessels. This method of seed production from regenerants can eliminate time-consuming steps in acclimation, transplanting to soil, and plant maintenance.