Influence of carbohydrate source and concentration on the in vitro flowering of Sturt's Desert Pea ('Swainsona formosa')

Abstract

Swainsona formosa (G.Don) J. Thompson (Sturt's desert pea) is an Australian native legume which is used as an ornamental pot plant. It is also suitable for hanging baskets and cut flowers. One of the Impediments to the commercialisation of S. formosa as a pot plant is its inability to produce flowers under light conditions. The possibility of using exogenous sugar application as a replacement for high light intensity conditions is considered with the objective of evaluating the effect of exogenous sugar application on the in vitro flowering of S. formosa. Media containing different sugars (sucrose. fructose and glucose) and concentrations (1.5, 3.0. 4.5 or 6.0% w/v) were used in both high and low light.