NOVEL METHOD OF RAPID MICROPROPAGATION USING CYCLIC BULBLET FORMATIONFROM ROOT-TIP EXPLANTS IN GARLIC

A novel procedure for rapid and cyclic clonal propagation of garlic (A llium sativum L.) through in vitro bulblet formation was developed. In contrast to the previously employed micropropagation methods that mak e use of a single shoot tip, basal plate or bulb scale explant per clo ve, we have used more than 40 root tips per clove of the garlic 'White roppen' as starting material. Use of roots as explants gave the uniqu e opportunity of a continuous bulblet formation. One cycle of the proc ess was consisted of three steps: (a) shoot initiation from root tips cultured on MS medium containing 1 mu M NAA and 10 mu M BA, (b) shoot proliferation on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mu M BA, and (c) bulb let formation on MS medium containing 12% sucrose, After completion of one cycle, in vitro roots were used as secondary explants. One cycle was completed within 4 months, and 316 bulblets were produced from the roots of one clove in the first cycle. This method has potential for the production of 5,838 bulblets from a single clove after two cycles completed within 10 months.