IN-VITRO FORMATION OF REGENERANT CORMS OF SAFFRON CROCUS (CROCUS-SATIVUS L)

The method of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) micropropagation in vitro is developed. The MS nutrient medium with 3% glucose, 0.5 to 3 mg/l indo leacetic or naphtaleneacetic acid in combination with 1 to 3 mg/l zeat ine was the most effective. Low temperature (+10 degrees C) and incuba tion under Light appeared to be optimum for the regeneration of corms (microcorms). Regenerant corm formation resulted from the thickening o f the basal parts of the shoots initiated from the apical and lateral dormant buds on the explants as well as from the embryoid structures o n the explant calluses. The period of April and May was the most favor able for corm regeneration. The seasonal developmental cycles typical for saffron in a natural environment remained without changes during i n vitro culture. The new method of the saffron micropropagation in vit ro made it possible to increase the propagation coefficient by several thousand times.