Effect of different concentrations of phytohormones on callus induction in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Department of Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Chemistry, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran

Abstract

Herbal secondary metabolites possess high economic value, and the chemical synthesis of these metabolites is typically complex and costly. In light of this, the production of metabolites through various biotechnological methods, including plant cell and tissue culture, can offer a beneficial alternative. In this experiment, corm explants of saffron were collected from the Torbat-e Heydarieh, a native Iranian ecotype. After sterilization, they were cultured in ½ MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NAA, IBA, and/or 2,4-D in combination with the BAP hormone at 21°C under dark conditions. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with three repetitions for hormones and their levels. The findings revealed that, among the various callus induction media tested, the ½ MS medium, when supplemented with 0.5 mg/L of 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/L of BAP, demonstrated the highest percentage of callus formation. Meanwhile, the ½ MS medium with hormone combinations of 0.5 mg/L of BAP and 2 mg/L of IBA resulted in the lowest callusing. On the other hand, although NAA was effective for callus induction, the rooting percentage of calli is higher and is not suitable for callus induction or the establishment of suspension culture in saffron.

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