Abstract

After formation of the replacement corms, the saffron leaves wither and the apical buds enter dormancy, which is released  after-ripening at 23 to 30°C. This study aimed to break this dormancy and reports successful ex vitro shoot regeneration from saffron corms, just after harvesting by pulse treating for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min with 50 mg/L Indole acetic acid (IAA)  or 50 mg/L  IAA  + 10 mg/L Thidiazuron (TDZ). All corms were cultured in organic matter rich soil contained in plastic sieve trays in greenhouse with day time temperature in range of 9 to 15°C and night temperature in range of 5 to 8°C during experimentation with relative humidity of 50 to 60%.  After 2 to 3 weeks,  the pulse treated corms regenerated multiple number of shoots, which increased to 5-6 shoots per corm after 10 weeks of culture; showing statistically different and superior regeneration on 50 mg/L  IAA  + 10 mg/L TDZ pulse treated corms compared to IAA pulse treated corms. This protocol will help to increase and improve flowering for an extended period of time.

Key words: Ex vitro, shoot regeneration, lateral buds, saffron, multiplication.