Abstract

The present study addressed the successful in vitro seed germination, bulblet regeneration, increased bulblet size, hardening and acclimatization of Persian lily (Fritillaria persica). Seed germination rate was recorded 86.7% and 96.7% after two and three months cold treatment at 4°C, respectively. Bulblet explants taken from germination experiment were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5-2.0 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ). Maximum bulblet regeneration frequency and bulblets per explants were achieved on medium containing 2.0 mg/l TDZ. Leaf disc and leaf scale explants isolated from germinated seedlings were also cultured on MS medium containing 2-6 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with constant concentration of 0.2 mg/l Kinetin. Both 1" explants yielded the highest bulblet regeneration on MS medium containing 2 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.2 mg/l Kinetin. Combination of 1.5 g/1 agar and 1.6 g/l gelrite resulted in maximum bulblet diameter with more number of roots. Addition of 10 g/l NaCl to the culture medium resulted in the best root and leaf formation and secondary bulblet regeneration. Exposure of regenerated bulblets to 10 g/l NaCl and 4 °C for two months on medium with 20 g/l sucrose also found to be beneficial for acclimatization.