Pineapple Lily (Eucomis) Tissue Culture and Somatic Embryogenesis

Pineapple lilies (Eucomis) belong to the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. They are bulbous perennials with basal rosettes of leaves and stout stems covered in star-shaped flowers, similar to those of the pineapple – hence, they are commonly referred to as pineapple flowers or pineapple lilies. The Pineapple lily market share is increasing, with new pot and cut flower varieties being introduced from South Africa. We have tested various parameters and developed a highly efficient plant regeneration system with pineapple lily ‘Sparkling Burgundy’.  In vitro leaves were used as explants, somatic embryos developed directly from the cut surface of the explant with a mean number of 5 somatic embryos per cm² leaf blade explant in 30 days. Regenerated somatic embryos were matured on plantlet strength medium after additional 30 days. The well-developed plantlets were directly transplanted to peat moss : perlite : vermiculite (1:1:1) soil and kept under moisture in a growth chamber for acclimatization, and a 100% survival rate was obtained after 25 days of acclimatization. Greenhouse acclimatization is now in progress.