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Biotechnology of southern African bulbs
CW Fennell, J van Staden
Abstract
The greatest diversity of bulbs, including petaloid
monocotyledons with corms, rhizomes and tubers, can be found in the Cape Floral Kingdom in southern Africa. Biotechnological approaches are used to meet the
growing demand for bulbs and to conserve those overexploited by the herbal
medicine trade. This review outlines the principles and practices of
micropropagation, flower bulb improvement, in vitro conservation,
molecular marker applications and secondary metabolite production for southern
African bulbs and discusses the future role of bulbs and biotechnology in the
development of the region.
South African Journal of Botany
2004, 70(1): 37–46
monocotyledons with corms, rhizomes and tubers, can be found in the Cape Floral Kingdom in southern Africa. Biotechnological approaches are used to meet the
growing demand for bulbs and to conserve those overexploited by the herbal
medicine trade. This review outlines the principles and practices of
micropropagation, flower bulb improvement, in vitro conservation,
molecular marker applications and secondary metabolite production for southern
African bulbs and discusses the future role of bulbs and biotechnology in the
development of the region.
South African Journal of Botany
2004, 70(1): 37–46
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South African Journal of Botany. ISSN: 0254-6299