In vitro cormlet production and growth evaluation under greenhouse conditions in saffron (<i>Crocus sativus</i> L.) – A commercially important crop

Abstract

Abstract The present study describes the effects of season on initial bud sprouting, direct shoot regeneration from the base of the sprouted bud, and cormlet production from multiple shoots, and provides growth evaluation of in vitro produced cormlets under greenhouse conditions. Initial sprouting of buds from corm segments was previously described in medium supplemented with 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D, 9.05 μM) and 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP, 26.64 μM). Maximum bud sprouting (90%) was observed during November and December. Direct multiple shoot primordia were initiated from the base of these sprouted buds on BAP (26.64 μM). Multiplication of shoots was achieved in BAP (26.64 μM) and α‐naphthalene acetic acid (1.0 and 5.0 μM). Growth retardants (chlorocholine chloride and paclobutrazol) were used for cormlet production from multiple shoots, and paclobutrazol (1.7 μM) evinced maximum cormlet production (86.07%). Growth of these in vitro‐produced cormlets was evaluated under greenhouse conditions, and 91.66% sprouting was observed. An increase in cormlet weight (66.88%) was also observed under in vivo conditions.