Abstract

Nine cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium were screened using the ray floret explants to determine the capability for plant regeneration on four media protocols and subsequently to find out the best genotype source linked with the optimum medium conditions for the high potentiality of shoot formation. The results indicated that all in vitro culture traits were highly significantly influenced by the differences in genotypes, medium protocols and their interaction. The percentage of explants which developed calli ranged from 73.83% “Ping Pong” to 25.67% “Palisade White” among the cultivars across the four medium protocols with an average of 48.28%. The highest percentage of embryogenic callus, shoot formation and mean value of shoot length was produced by cultivar "Delistar White" when calli were differentiated on medium protocol B. The medium protocol B showed the greatest potential for shoot length across the cultivars and it was significantly superior to all other medium protocols except the medium protocol A. The present study indicated that the medium protocol “B” and then "A" appear to be the best protocols for plant regeneration. The cultivar "Delistar White" with the medium protocols B and then A, could be successfully utilized for further in vitro mutagenesis investigations.

Key words: Chrysanthemum morifolium, in vitro culture, plant regeneration.