In vitro bulblet regeneration from immature embryos of Muscari azureum

Abstract

A high frequency bulblet regeneration was achieved for endemic and endangered ornamental plant Muscari azureum using immature embryos. Immature embryos of M. azureum were cultured on callus induction medium consisting of N⁶ mineral salts and vitamins, 400 mg/L casein + 40 g/L sucrose + 2 g/l L-proline, 2 mg/L 2,4-D and 2 g/L gelrite. Then, embryogenic callus clusters were transferred to bulblet induction medium consisting of MS mineral salts and vitamins containing different concentrations and combinations of N₆-benzylamino-purine (BAP), kinetin (KIN), thidiazuron (TDZ), zeatin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 30 g/L sucrose and 7 g/L agar. Prolific bulblets multiplication (over 13 bulblets/embryo) was achieved from immature embryos after 5 - 6 months of culture initiation. Well-developed bulblets were excised and individually rooted on ½ strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA, 0.5 g/l activated charcoal, 20 g/l sucrose and 6 g/l agar and acclimatized.

Key words: Muscari azureum, bulblet, micropropagation, immature embryo.