High frequency direct plant regeneration from leaf and petals of Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus)

High frequency direct plant regeneration from leaf and petal explants was accomplished for the first time in Streptocarpus varieties. The shoot induction frequency varied with respect to the benzylaminopurine (BAP) concentration added to the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. MS medium with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP exhibited the highest (69.9%) plant regeneration frequency with an average of 186 shoots per explant. A higher concentration of BAP inhibited shoot bud induction and plant regeneration along with necrosis of explants. Petal explants derived from the varieties ‘Branwen’ (pink and white) and ‘Chorus Line’ (violet and white) displayed plant regeneration frequency of 22.2–47.4% (within a total of 12 weeks) on MS medium containing 2.0 mg l⁻¹ α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP for 8 weeks followed by 4 weeks on MS medium with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BAP. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed direct plant regeneration without callus. Regenerated plants from leaf explants with well-developed leaves and roots were hardened and successfully transferred to pots in glasshouse exhibiting 86% survival at the end of 4–6 weeks. Whereas, regenerated plants from flower petal explants upon transfer to pots in glasshouse exhibited 75–82% survival at the end of 4–6 weeks.