Comparison of yields and amino acids between different virus-free tissue cultural plantlets of Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Mip.) Pax

The growth speed and yield of tissue cultural plantlets derived from apical meristem, callus and seed of Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Mip.) Pax were compared, and their contents of 18 free amino acids were determined. The preliminary results were as follows: the growth speed of apical meristem and callus plantlets was faster than control seedling, and their yields were also distinctly higher than that of control seedling. In addition, the growth speed of seed plantlet was the same as that of control seedling, but the yield was lower than that of control seedling. The contents of total amino acids of root tubers derived from the three kinds of tissue cultural plantlets were higher than that of control seedlings. Among the four treatments the content of essential amino acid was not statistically different.