In the present study, the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on callus regeneration, adventitious shoot differentiation, and root formation of Haworthia turgida Haw. was investigated. The greatest callus induction percentage (95.6%) was achieved with leaf explants inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 mg·L ⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mg·L ⁻¹ 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and this callus induction medium supplemented with 2.5 mg·L ⁻¹ thidiazuron (TDZ) was optimal for callus proliferation. The maximum number of shoots (25.7) was obtained when the callus was cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L ⁻¹ BA and 0.2 mg·L ⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The highest number of roots per shoot (6.2) and highest rooting frequency (82.0%) were obtained when adventitious shoots were inoculated on MS medium with 0.05 mg·L ⁻¹ NAA. Regenerated plantlets were transferred to a mixture of vermiculite and soil and acclimated in a greenhouse. The survival rate of the transplanted plantlets was about 91.6%. The rate of ex vitro rooting was 83.3%, indicating that this technique is effective for root induction in H. turgida . This study has established a rapid and efficient micropropagation system that can be beneficial for commercial cultivation and germplasm conservation of H. turgida .

Transcription factors are key molecules in the regulation of gene expression in all organisms. The transcription factor LEAFY COTYLEDON 2 (LEC2), which belongs to the DNA-binding protein family, contains a B3 domain. The transcription factor is involved in the regulation of important plant biological processes such as embryogenesis, somatic embryo formation, seed storage protein synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and other important biological processes. Recent studies have shown that LEC2 regulates the formation of lateral roots and influences the embryonic resetting of the parental vernalization state. The orthologs of LEC2 and their regulatory effects have also been identified in some crops; however, their regulatory mechanism requires further investigation. Here, we summarize the most recent findings concerning the effects of LEC2 on plant growth and seed development. In addition, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms of the action of the LEC2 gene during plant development.