In vitro propagation of Lilium longiflorum var. ceb-dazzle through direct somatic embryogenesis

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of various concentrations of Picloram (0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 mg L(-1)), TDZ (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg L(-1)), NAA (1.5 mg L(-1)) in combination with TDZ (0.08, 0.2 and 0.4 mg L(-1)), 2,4-D (2.5, 5 and 10 mg L(-1)) combined with BAP (0.25 mg L(-1)) and different types of explants (basal, central and distal part of the bulb scale) on direct somatic embryogenesis induction of Lilium longiflorum var. Ceb-Dazzle. The explants were surface sterilized and cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 0.3% Phytagel and various concentrations of mentioned growth regulators. It was found that Picloram at a concentration of 2 mg L-' was the most effective treatment for induction of direct somatic embryogenesis and gave the highest number of embryos (18.6) on each explant. The explants from basal part of the bulb scale showed the best responses (19.9 embryos/explant). TDZ alone or combined with NAA in various concentrations was not able to induce somatic embryogenesis, but gave direct bulblet regeneration. Similar results were obtained for 2, 4-D and BAP combination treatments. Induced somatic embryos were transferred to MS medium without growth regulators for maturation and matured plantlets were successfully acclimatized and transferred to in vivo conditions.