Abstract

A plant regeneration method has been developed for Polianthes tuberosa. Outer and inner scales of bulb were used as explants. Both explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing 3% sucrose with different concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Multiple shoots were induced directly from the scales of explants. The formation of shoots from outer scales showed a slight difference from inner ones. The optimal concentration of BAP for inducing shoot formation was found to be 3.0 mg/L. Regeneration frequency was highest (93%) when explants were cultured on this MS medium. Another growth regulator that played an important role in shoot formation was TDZ (18 µM). Regenerated shoots transferred to MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/L BAP combined with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L kinetin increased multiple shooting rates. Also, roots were formed when media was supplemented with different concentrations of NAA. The rooting frequency was highest in MS medium with 1 mg/L NAA. Well developed mericlones were successfully shifted into green house for acclimatization.

Key words: Plant regeneration, Sclaes, Polianthes tuberosa, MS medium, Acclimatization.