STIMULATING EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT BASAL MEDIA AND CYTOKININE TYPES ON REGENERATION OF ENDEMIC AND ENDANGERED MUSCARI AUCHERI

In this study a simple protocol has been developed for the endemic and endangered Muscari aucheri plant. 2-4 bulb scale explants of M. aucheri were cultured in different basal media (Nitsch mineral salts and vitamins, Orchimax Medium mineral salts and vitamins) supplemented with 2 mgL(-1) 2,4-D, 20 mgL(-1) mannitol, 20 mgL(-1) sucrose, 0.5 mgL(-1) NAA and different concentrations of BAP, KIN, 2iP and TDZ. The medium was solidified with 2 mgL(-1) Gelrite. The Orchimax and Nitsch & Nitsch medium promoted shoot and bulblet regeneration. BAP, KIN and 2-iP were suitable for induction of the bulblet for 2-4 bulb scales of M. aucheri. The highest number of bulblets per explant for 2 and 4 scales was achieved on the Orchimax medium supplemented with 1 mgL(-1) KIN and 2 mgL(-1) KIN, respectively. Whereas, the maximum number of bulblets per explant for 4 scales was recorded on the Nitsch medium supplemented with 2 mgL(-1) BAP. However, the Nitsch medium containing 10 mgL(-1) 2-iP gave the best number of bulblets per explant for 2 scales. Bulblets acclimatized very well under greenhouse and garden conditions.