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Fritillaria crassicaulis S. C. Chen is a precious traditional Chinese medicine, but the number of populations has declined rapidly due to overexploitation. An artificial rapid propagation system was established to screen the suitable plant regeneration method and to explore the efficient propagation method, useful for propagation technology or for further research and development of F. crassicaulis. This study selected scale as the experimental material, set Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium as the basic medium, and optimized the types and proportions of plant growth regulator (PGR) suitable for callus induction, bulblet differentiation and proliferation, and plant regeneration by means of single-factor, full-factorial, and L9 (3)4 orthogonal experiments. Results demonstrate that in the experiment with single exogenous PGR, the high concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) was significantly better than kinetin (KT) to induce bulblets, 2, 4-dichloroacetic acid (2, 4-D) had a significant effect on callus induction, and a higher concentration of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was beneficial to the occurrence and growth of bulbs, but the rooting effect promoted by indole butyric acid (IBA) was preferable to that by NAA. In MS medium with 0.5 mg/L 2, 4-D and 1.5 mg/L 6-BA, a large number of yellowish-green compact calli could be induced from the scales with the calli induction frequency at 93.3%, and about 11.4% materials directly differentiated bulblets. In the subsequent orthogonal experiment, after the scales were cultured in MS medium with 2.0 mg/L 6-BA, 0.5 mg/L 2, 4-D, and 0.1 mg/L NAA for 20 days, the small yellow and white globular protuberances formed near the incision, but no callus appeared, and many protuberances appeared on the surface of the scales. After 60 days, the protuberances at the incision developed into bulblets directly, while protuberances on the surface of the scales developed into few bulblets but crowded "leaf spines," which gradually died and disappeared in the later culture; the proliferation coefficient was ~6.30 then. Experimental results indicate that the optimal rooting medium for bulblets was 1/2MS medium with 2.0 mg/L IBA and 1.0 mg/L activated carbon (AC), with the rooting rate at 95.6%. This study identifies bulblet regeneration of F. crassicaulis, and an efficient direct organogenesis method was established: regenerated bulblets could be induced from scales in one step, so a large number of regenerated plants with the same genotype could be obtained in a short time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the best medium for obtaining bulblets in the Oriental Lilium 'Siberia' plant using bulb scales and different media. In the research, six different growing mediums were used as growing media: soil (control), peat, soil + peat, perlite, perlite + peat, and peat + sand. In the experiment, the number of bulblets, bulblet width, bulblet length, number of healthy and infected bulb scales, and the time it took for the first bulbs to formation were measured. As a result of the study, the highest number of bulblets (110) were obtained from peat + sand. The growing medium with the highest values of bulblet width (11.38 cm) and bulblet length (16.27 cm) was determined to be peat. The highest number of healthy bulb scales (54) was obtained from perlite medium, and the highest number of infected bulb scales (20) was obtained from soil medium. In terms of the formation time of the first bulblets, perlite medium (15 days) was the growing medium where the earliest bulbs were obtained, and the latest bulblets were obtained from control (soil) and soil + peat (40 days). In general, the quality of bulblets obtained from peat medium was better than that from other mediums. In this regard, peat growing medium is recommended to obtain quality bulblets, and peat + sand is recommended if the number of bulblets is desired to be high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fritillaria crassicaulis S. C. Chen is a precious traditional Chinese medicine, but the number of populations has declined rapidly due to overexploitation. An artificial rapid propagation system was established to screen the suitable plant regeneration method and to explore the efficient propagation method, useful for propagation technology or for further research and development of F. crassicaulis. This study selected scale as the experimental material, set Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium as the basic medium, and optimized the types and proportions of plant growth regulator (PGR) suitable for callus induction, bulblet differentiation and proliferation, and plant regeneration by means of single-factor, full-factorial, and L9 (3)4 orthogonal experiments. Results demonstrate that in the experiment with single exogenous PGR, the high concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) was significantly better than kinetin (KT) to induce bulblets, 2, 4-dichloroacetic acid (2, 4-D) had a significant effect on callus induction, and a higher concentration of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was beneficial to the occurrence and growth of bulbs, but the rooting effect promoted by indole butyric acid (IBA) was preferable to that by NAA. In MS medium with 0.5 mg/L 2, 4-D and 1.5 mg/L 6-BA, a large number of yellowish-green compact calli could be induced from the scales with the calli induction frequency at 93.3%, and about 11.4% materials directly differentiated bulblets. In the subsequent orthogonal experiment, after the scales were cultured in MS medium with 2.0 mg/L 6-BA, 0.5 mg/L 2, 4-D, and 0.1 mg/L NAA for 20 days, the small yellow and white globular protuberances formed near the incision, but no callus appeared, and many protuberances appeared on the surface of the scales. After 60 days, the protuberances at the incision developed into bulblets directly, while protuberances on the surface of the scales developed into few bulblets but crowded “leaf spines,” which gradually died and disappeared in the later culture; the proliferation coefficient was ∼6.30 then. Experimental results indicate that the optimal rooting medium for bulblets was 1/2MS medium with 2.0 mg/L IBA and 1.0 mg/L activated carbon (AC), with the rooting rate at 95.6%. This study identifies bulblet regeneration of F. crassicaulis, and an efficient direct organogenesis method was established: regenerated bulblets could be induced from scales in one step, so a large number of regenerated plants with the same genotype could be obtained in a short time.

Introduction The endosperm (3n) is the food source for the embryo, which has received two polar nuclei from the maternal parent 2n and one sperm cell from the paternal parent 1n. Traditionally, triploid plants are created by crossing between tetraploid plants and diploid plants. To carry out this method, it is necessary to create tetraploid lines, and it is possible to double the chromosomes of diploid species by using substances that inhibit the formation of the division spindle. The advantage of endosperm culture over the traditional method is that the production of triploid plants in endosperm culture is done in a single step, and the time required to generate a triploid plant is less than in the traditional method. Increasing the level of ploidy of the nucleus can affect the plant's physiological and biochemical processes as well as altering the rate of photosynthesis, respiration, activity of genes, enzymes, and expression of isoenzymes compared with diploid types. They will have a new phenotype and can surpass the range of traits of their diploid ancestors such as increasing biomass and changing the quality and concentration of plant active ingredients, increasing resistance to drought stress, and resistance to pests. Therefore, the chance of their selection will increase. Materials and Methods Immature seeds were collected in late May, about 35 to 45 days after pollination, and mature seeds were harvested after fully ripening approximately in late July, and disinfection using a stereomicroscope with 60 times magnification under a laminar hood. The endosperm tissue was separated from the seed coat and embryo. In this study, mature and immature endosperm tissues of the mooseer plant were cultured onto hormonal compounds for callus induction in dark conditions for three months. In further experiments, the effects of sucrose were investigated at two levels of 30 and 50 gl-1 and the combination of BAP and NAA treatments on mooseer production. The flow cytometry method and chromosome counting were used to determine the ploidy levels of regenerated plants. Results In this study, the treatment of 1 mg L-1 of NAA and 1 mg L-1 of BAP indicated the highest percentage of callus formation in both mature and immature tissues of mooseer endosperm. Seedlings produced in the treatment of 0.5 mg L-1 of NAA and 3 mg L-1 of BAP in culture medium with 50 g of sucrose caused the production of bulblet with greater length and diameter. The present study identified the cytogenetic properties, chromosome counts, and stomatal sizes of triploid plants regenerated from both mature and immature endosperm tissue of mooseer, using flow cytometry. A total of 12 triploid seedlings were obtained from mature tissue, while 8 seedlings were obtained from immature tissue. Conclusion Traditionally, triploids are produced by hybridization between induced superior tetraploids and diploids, but endosperm culture is a one-step protocol. In this study, according to the sexual and asexual propagation (propagation through daughter bulbs) of mooseer, the modification and production of the triploid plants in mooseer allow the propagation of this plant through daughter bulbs. Generally, triploid plants were successfully produced through the endosperm culture method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. is an important wild plant species consumed as a vegetable. The plant is also used for medicinal purposes, in the cut flower industry as ornamental geophytes. In this study, it was aimed to ensure germination, bulblet regeneration, bulblet size enlargement in E. spectabilis under in vitro conditions. Gamborg (B5) and White (WH) media were used for in vitro germination of seed tip-cutting and total of 24 Murashige and Skoog (MS) combinations supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ) (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg L-1) + naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg L-1) and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg L-1) + NAA (0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg L-1) were used for bulblet regeneration experiments. For bulblet size enlargement, two trials were set up with an interval of 30-35 d. The highest germination ratio (61.5%) was obtained from B5 medium (p < 0.01). In in vitro bulblet regeneration trials, MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 TDZ with 0.1 (65.8%) and 0.5 mg L-1 NAA (65.3%) and the combination of 1.0 mg L-1 TDZ with 0.5 mg L--1 NAA (65.1%) yielded more successful in terms of bulblet ratio (p < 0.01). For bulblet size enlargement, as the average of both trial sets, 1.0 mg L-1 TDZ+0.1 mg L-1 NAA combination was more successful in terms of bulblet ratio (79.05%) and bulblet diameter (2.05 cm). The most successful combinations in terms of average number of bulblets were 2.0 mg L-1 TDZ+0.1 mg L-1 NAA (32.25 bulblets) and 1.0 mg L-1 TDZ+0.1 mg L-1 NAA (30.6 bulblets), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scale propagation is a cost-effective and time-saving reproduction method for lily bulb production. The effects of different incubation temperatures and plant growth regulators on the scale propagation of Lilium davidii var. unicolor were investigated. The results showed that temperature influences the scale rot incidence rate, speed of scale differentiation and bulblet formation, as well as the size of bulblets. The optimum temperature for scale propagation of L. davidii var. unicolor was 30 °C. Scales incubated at 30 °C showed a lower rot incidence and faster differentiation and produced larger bulblets. The application of gibberellic acid (GA3), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) had no significant influence on the differentiation rate of scales. GA3 application reduced the incidence rate of scale rot. However, treatment with 50 mg/L NAA and 2 mg/L 6-BA significantly increased the rot incidence rate in the second week of propagation. Both treatments with 100 mg/L NAA and 100 mg/L GA3 produced a higher number of bulblets than their controls after 6 weeks of incubation. GA3 at 100 and 150 mg/L increased the diameter of bulblets, resulting in more large bulblets (grade 1) and fewer small bulblets (grade 3). 6-BA did not facilitate propagation by scaling.

Abstract Background Lycoris species have great ornamental and medicinal values; however, their low regeneration efficiency seriously restricts their commercial production. Understanding the mechanism of bulblet propagation in this genus, which has remained underexplored to date, could provide a theoretical basis for improving the reproductive efficiency. Therefore, we studied the bulblet initiation and developmental processes in Lycoris radiata. Results We found that bulblets are formed on the junctions of the innermost layers of scales and the basal plate, and initially present as an axillary bud and gradually develop into a bulblet. We also determined the changes in carbohydrate and endogenous hormone contents during bulblet initiation and development, as well as the expression patterns of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and hormone biosynthesis and signaling through transcriptome analysis. Soluble sugars derived from starch degradation in the outer scales are transported to and promote bulblet initiation and development through starch synthesis in the inner scales. This process is mediated by several genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, especially genes encoding ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase, a crucial starch synthesis enzyme. As for hormones, endogenous IAA, GA, and ABA content showed an increase and decrease during bulblet initiation and development, respectively, which were consistent with the expression patterns of genes involved in IAA, GA, and ABA synthesis and signal transduction. In addition, a decrease in ZR content may be down- and up-regulated by CK biosynthesis and degradation related genes, respectively, with increasing auxin content. Furthermore, expression levels of genes related to BR, JA, and SA biosynthesis were increased, while that of ethylene biosynthesis genes was decreased, which was also consistent with the expression patterns of their signal transduction genes. Conclusions The present study provides insights into the effect of carbohydrate metabolism and endogenous hormone regulation on control of L. radiata bulblet initiation and development. Based on the results, we propose several suggestions to improve L. radiata propagation efficiency in production, which will provide directions for future research.

Nasrin plant (Amaryllis) is considered as a valuable bulbous plant. The propagation rate of this ornamental plant in natural condition is low. Therefore, application of modern techniques such as tissue culture is an appropriate way to increase the propagation rate of this ornamental plant. In order to study the effect of explant kind, type and concentration of cytokinin on scale explant regeneration of amaryllis, afctorial experiment was done based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications. Different explants including twin scale with basal plate, single scale with basal plate and single scale without basal plate was used. Explants were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentration of BA or TDZ (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/l) and 0.1 mg/l NAA, 30 g/l sucrose and 8 g/l agar. Results showed that twin scale explants with basal plate were the best explants for in vitro propagation of amaryllis and produced thicker bulblets. On the other hand, no bulblets were regenerated from single scale without basal plate and these explants became brown over the time. Also cytokinin type had no significant effect on the diameter of regenerated bulblets but in medium containing BA more bulblets were regenerated in comparison to medium supplemented with TDZ. Medium without any hormones produced less and thicker bulblets compared with other treatments. By considering the diameter and number of bulblets, application of twin scale and use of MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BA in combination with 0.1 mg/l NAA is recommended for in vitro propagation of amaryllis

Purpose: Tunisian garlic is widely threatened by the attack of several viruses genus. For this purpose, a reliable protocol was established for rapid in vitro propagation of local garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivars for large-scale production of virus-free plants and high quality bulblets. Research method: Well disinfected shoot-tips of 1 mm were used as explants and cultivated on MS basal solid media enriched with various growth regulators: 6-Benzylaminopurine, α-Naphthaleneacetic acid, Kinetin, Indole-3-butyric acid and 2-isopentenyladenine for assessment of shoot formation, shoot proliferation and bulb formation. Findings: Among the different phytohormone concentrations and combinations, MS basal medium without any growth regulators (M0) was found optimal for shoot-tip initiation (96% explants development) and plantlets elongation (56.26 mm). For shoot proliferation, the M1 culture medium containing 1 mg L-1 BAP and 0.25 mg L-1 NAA was the best, giving a multiplication rate of 1.7 plantlets/explant. Shoots on M0 culture medium formed bulblets earlier. Multiple bulblets per explants were obtained on medium M22 containing 2 mg L-1 Kin and 0.1 mg L-1 NAA. Separated bulblets were transferred individually on bulbification media. Non-dividable bulblet was developed in various sizes. Research limitations: Bulblet acclimatization step needs to be well studied for high quality cloves production. Originality/value: This efficient optimized in vitro protocol will be successfully applied for large multiplication of virus-free garlic cultivars.

Introduction: Allium hirtifolium commonly known as Persian shallot is an important wild medicinal plant from Alliaceae family. Persian shallot commonly known as mooseer in Iran is a perennial diploid plant that is native to Iran and grows as a wild plant throughout in the Zagross Mountains range, western and southwestern Iran. It is a bulbous herb and usually consists of a single main bulb or rarely two bulbs. Each bulb has a weight of about 8-15 times of a garlic clove. The bulbs of mooseer has been widely used as a traditional herb and spice plant, added to a variety of foods such as salads, pickles, yogurt and different sauces. Conventionally, Persian shallot propagates through bulbs and seeds but these two methods are not commercially efficient due to low growth rate of bulbs and deep dormancy, low viability and germination rate of seeds. In addition, the natural habitat of this plant is under increasing pressure as a result of excessive incorrect harvest that caused to damage the plant density in Iran rangelands. So, improving the efficiency of A. hirtifolium propagation is necessary. A number of positive effects on the growth and productivity of some plants through cytokinin application have been registered by earlier research. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of pretreatment and foliar application of forchlorfenuron as a safe cytokinin on improving the bulb production, phytochemical compounds and antioxidant attributes of Persian shallot. Materials and Methods: This experiment was done at research green house of Tabriz University in 2015-2016. For pretreated of Persian shallot bulbs, they were soaked in 0, 50 and 10 mg l-1 forchlorfenuron solutions for 24 h. Then they were cultured in pots contained perlite and vermicompost with 3:1 ratio. Foliar application was applied 2, 4 and 6 weeks after culture with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg l-1 concentrations of forchlorfenuron. At the end of growth season the number of leaves, number of bublets, fresh and dry weight of bulblet were recorded. The phytochemical compound (protein, phenol and allicin), antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidases and superoxide dismutase) and antioxidant activity of bulbs were assayed with spectrophotometry methods. Results and Discussion: Foliar applications of plant growth regulators such as cytokinins in agriculture crops are reported to be useful in controlling multiple physiological processes, including flower initiation, shoot elongation, bulb production, fruit set and as well as affected the quality characters of products. In this study despite the bulblets number that did not influence by treatments, pretreatment and foliar application of forchlorfenuron significantly increased the leaves number, fresh and dry weight of bulbs in comparison with control plants. The highest leaves number (4.49 per plant) was obtained from pretreatments. The highest fresh weight (91.77 g) was recorded at 5 and 10 mg l-1 pretreatment and 100 mg l-1 (91.63 g) foliar application. The interaction effect of treatments on dry weight was significant and the highest dry weight (19.75 g) was recorded at 10 mg l-1 pretreatment with 100 and 150 mg l-1 foliar application. Allicin content did not show significant variation between treatments and in average was 0.859 mg g-1 FW. Total phenol content significantly influenced by treatments and the highest phenol content (1.585 mg GAE g-1 FW) was recorded at 5 mg l-1 pretreatment with 100 mg l-1 foliar application. The antioxidant enzymes included catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase that showed significant increasing under forchlorfenuron treatments. Due to significant effects of forchlorfenuron on antioxidant compounds and enzymes of Persian shallot bulbs, the assay of antioxidant activity also showed a significant increasing in treated bulbs. The maximum percent of antioxidant activity (74.522) was obtained from 100 mg l-1 foliar application. Exogenous application of cytokinins plays an effective role by protecting the fluidity and integrity of plant cell membranes. They properly mediate enzymatic (SOD, APX, and CAT) and non-enzymatic machinery with the result of preventing cell membrane damage by oxidative stress. Conclusions: Considerable improvement in biochemical and antioxidant attributes of Persian shallot was recorded with pretreatment and foliar application of forchlorfenuron. The present data support the potential uses of the forchlorfenuron for improving the production of weighty bulbs with the high antioxidants attributes in Allium hirtifolium. Pretreated and foliar application at 5 mg l-1 and 100 mg l-1 concentrations of forchlorfenuron, respectively showed the best results and is recommendable for A. hirtifolim production.

Copyright of Journal of Southern Agriculture is the property of Journal of Southern Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Lycoris species have great ornamental and medicinal values; however, their low regeneration efficiency seriously restricts their commercial production. Understanding the mechanism of bulblet propagation in this genus, which has remained underexplored to date, could provide a theoretical basis for improving the reproductive efficiency. Therefore, we studied the bulblet initiation and developmental processes in Lycoris radiata. Results: We found that bulblets are formed on the junctions of the innermost layers of scales and the basal plate, and initially present as an axillary bud and gradually develop into a bulblet. We also determined the changes in carbohydrate and endogenous hormone contents during bulblet initiation and development, as well as the expression patterns of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and hormone biosynthesis and signaling through transcriptome analysis. Soluble sugars derived from starch degradation in the outer scales are transported to and promote bulblet initiation and development through starch synthesis in the inner scales. This process is mediated by several genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, especially genes encoding ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase, a crucial starch synthesis enzyme. As for hormones, endogenous IAA, GA, and ABA content showed an increase and decrease during bulblet initiation and development, respectively, which were consistent with the expression patterns of genes involved in IAA, GA, and ABA synthesis and signal transduction. In addition, a decrease in ZR content may be down- and up-regulated by CK biosynthesis and degradation related genes, respectively, with increasing auxin content. Furthermore, expression levels of genes related to BR, JA, and SA biosynthesis were increased, while that of ethylene biosynthesis genes was decreased, which was also consistent with the expression patterns of their signal transduction genes. Conclusions: The present study provides insights into the effect of carbohydrate metabolism and endogenous hormone regulation on control of L. radiata bulblet initiation and development. Based on the results, we propose several suggestions to improve L. radiata propagation efficiency in production, which will provide directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the current study there were 6 treatment of all combinations of two propagation methods (chipping and twin-scaling), two propagating bulb storage temperatures (pre-cooling and no pre-cooling), two hot-water treatments (hwt and no hwt). Treatments were applied to measure the effects on the propagation of Narcissus tazetta cv. “Ziva” bulbs. The major effects were those of propagation methods and pre-propagating bulb storage temperatures. Chipping, pre-cooling and hwt consistently affected the bulblet formation in both seasons and bulblet weight per chip in the first season only but had no effect on number of bulblets. Chipping method increased all parameters (bulblet formation, weight and circumference of bulblet and number of bulblets per chip, number and length of leaves and roots per-chip). However, chipping resulted in lager, but fewer bulblets than twin-scaling. Pre-cooling increased bulblet formation and both weight and circumference of bulblet in the first season only but reduced number and length of leaves and roots in the second one only. Hot-water treatment increased bulblet formation in both seasons but reduced number and length of leaves and roots in the first season only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Availability of planting material is a limiting factor in the cultivation of Asiatic hybrid lily and small farmers are facing the constrains by frequently importing the Lilium bulbs for planting. An experiment was carried out to study the effect of light condition and height of flower harvesting on bulb and bulblet production in Asiatic hybrid lily at CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The treatments consisted of four shade conditions i.e., 30 % green shade net (G1), 50 % green shade net (G2), 75 % green shade net (G3) and open field condition (control) (G4) in main plot, four height of flower harvesting i.e., 15 cm above ground (H1), 30 cm above ground (H2), 45 cm above ground (H3) and no flower harvesting (H4) in sub plot and three cultivar i.e., Gran Paradiso (V1), Novecento (V2) and Adelina (V3) in sub-sub plot. Experiemnt was laid out in split-split plot design with three replications. Comparison was made for the treatment effect on characters related to number of bulb and bulblet production, circumference (cm) and weight characters. Results revealed that green shade net significantly improved the bulb and bulblet production and higher number of bulb and bulblet per plant were produced under 50 % green shade net whereas least number of bulb were found in open field condition. More number of bulb and bulblet production were observed where no flowers were harvested. Among varieties, Gran Paradiso produced more number of bulb and bulblet per plant while minimum number of bulb per plant was observed by Novecento. Higher bulb circumference (cm) of bulb and bulblet was found with 50 % green shade net condition. The maximum bulb circumference was found in no flower harvesting treatment and minimum in 15 cm above ground of harvesting. The cultivar Gran Paradiso noted maximum bulb and bulblet circumference (cm). Results indicated that 50 % green shade net gave maximum weight of bulb and bulblet per plant. No flower harvesting treatment produced maximum weight of bulb and bulblet per plant. Among cultivars, Gran Paradiso produced highest weight of bulb per plant while cultivar Novecento produced minimum bulb weight per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Ege Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anadolu Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Muscari comosumis a widespread Mediterranean species with a long use as food. The edible part is the bitter bulb that has to be cooked. The increasing value of bulbs, also due to a renewed cultural interest toward traditional foods and their benefits for health, claims to enhance the agricultural production. Surprisingly, no agronomic studies about the best practice of propagation exist. We tested whether and how germination rate and weight and size of bulbs, after one growing season, were affected by sowing date (autumn–spring), growing condition (greenhouse, shaded greenhouse and open field), and container’s volume. Results showed that the best-sowing period ranges between September and January; following this period there is a huge decrease in germination rate. The time of seedling emergence was higher in open field than in protected environment. The longer interval of growing was observed with the sowing of October that produced heavier and larger bulbs. The best combination to obtain larger bulbs is sowing in October under greenhouse. However, under shaded conditions it was possible to obtain satisfactory results even with medium-late sowing (December and January). Containers with higher volume generally performed better. We conclude that mass propagation ofM. comosumcould be efficiently performed for agronomic purposes using nurseries. In fact, due to the high rate of germination and to the ease of obtaining the seeds from wild populations or from cultivations, there is the possibility to produce large quantities of bulbs to develop new crops of this traditional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high frequency of bulblet regeneration was achieved for the endemic and endangered ornamental plant Muscari azureum using immature embryos. Immature embryos of M. azureum were cultured on a callus induction medium consisting of N6 mineral salts and vitamins, 400 gL-1 casein + 40 gL-1 sucrose + 2 mgL-1 L-proline, 2 mgL-1 2,4-D and 2 gL-1 Gelrite. Then the embryogenic callus clusters were transferred to a bulblet induction medium consisting of MS mineral salts and vitamins containing different concentrations and combinations of BAP, KIN, TDZ, Zeatin, IAA, NAA, 30 gL-1 sucrose and 7 gL-1 agar. Prolific bulblet multiplication (over 13 bulblets/embryo) was achieved from immature embryos after 5-6 months of culture initiation. Well-developed bulblets were excised and individually rooted on Ѕ strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mgL-1 IBA, 0.5 gL-1activated charcoal, 20 gL-1sucrose and 6 gL-1agar and acclimatized.

In this study a simple protocol has been developed for the endemic and endangered Muscari aucheri plant. 2-4 bulb scale explants of M. aucheri were cultured in different basal media (Nitsch mineral salts and vitamins, Orchimax Medium mineral salts and vitamins) supplemented with 2 mgL-1 2,4-D, 20 mgL-1 mannitol, 20 mgL-1 sucrose, 0.5 mgL-1 NAA and different concentrations of BAP, KIN, 2iP and TDZ. The medium was solidified with 2 mgL-1 Gelrite. The Orchimax and Nitsch & Nitsch medium promoted shoot and bulblet regeneration. BAP, KIN and 2-iP were suitable for induction of the bulblet for 2-4 bulb scales of Maucheri. The highest number of bulblets per explant for 2 and 4 scales was achieved on the Orchimax medium supplemented with 1 mgL-1 KIN and 2 mgL-1 KIN, respectively. Whereas, the maximum number of bulblets per explant for 4 scales was recorded on the Nitsch medium supplemented with 2 mgL-1 BAP. However, the Nitsch medium containing 10 mgL-1 2-iP gave the best number of bulblets per explant for 2 scales. Bulblets acclimatized very well under greenhouse and garden conditions. .

In order to study the regulation mechanism of lily bolting, self-reproducing bulblet of lily ‘Siberia' was taken as materials, bulblet in the differential expression protein group before and after bolting was analyzed. Proteins were separated by running 2-DE (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis), obtained 21 significantly differential expression protein spots. 11 protein spots was identified by the MALDI-TOF-TOFMS, including 2 chaperone protein, 4 involved in the energy metabolism,1 c DNA product by stress induced expression, 3 c DNA fragment in lily flower and 1 unknown protein. The results showed that: In the lily bolting process, the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism was under control, which prepared energy or resynthesis energy storage material for bolting process. The molecular chaperone protein or express stress inducible protein changes, was a physiological reaction to low temperature vernalization in lily plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulblet formation and development of Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) by tissue culture could provide technical solutions to realize the mass production of Lanzhou lily bulblet, which needs three steps to achieve, including multiple shoots proliferation, induction of bulblets and enhancement growth of bulblets. The starch content and the characteristic parameters of bulblet were detected at different culture stages. This study acquired an advanced technique that could effectively promote the bulblet formation and development, and induce the growth of main stem. The results demonstrated that the bulblet diameter, weight and number of scales were up to 1.66 cm, 2.48 g and 26.33 pieces, respectively. The starch content showed a gradual increasing trend according to the culture process, which indicated that the starch content was positively correlated to the development of bulblet. In addition, the bulblet size, weight and number of scales showed a positive correlation. The growing point of bulblet was easy to form the main stem when the number of scales reached to 26 or more. In this paper, the invented three-step tissue culture technology effectively promotes bulblet enhancement development, and enlargement of the bulblet can effectively shorten the field growth cycle, improve lily production on time, and also, it can provide technical reference for achievement of mass production of enhancement bulblet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilium candidum L., commonly known as the Madonna lily, is a wild Lilium species with medicinal properties and excellent potential as an ornamental crop, but one that has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this research was to study (1) tissue culture propagation of L. candidum bulblets, (2) early bulblet development, and (3) the effect of temperature and bulblet weight on bulblet and plant growth and meristem development. An investigation of the effect of explant type and temperature on in vitro bulblet propagation showed that scales were the most efficient explants for in vitro propagation and that exposing the regenerating bulblets to 15°C for 4 wk increased bulblet weight but reduced the number of bulblets produced. For bulblets planted in soil after 12 wk of exposure to 15°C or 25°C, the fastest growth was observed in the bulblets that had been exposed to 15°C and that had a larger initial size. Histological examination showed that young in vitro-grown bulblets had a rudimentary meristem comprising few cells with no layer organization. After 12 wk of growth, all bulblets showed a layered meristem, regardless of bulblet size or exposure to 15°C. However, an increased amount of leaf primordia was detected in larger bulblets. Furthermore, the histological examination revealed that in L. candidum, as opposed to other lily species, there had been no real "phase change" in the meristem and that the phase change from juvenile to vegetative adult occurred at a much later stage in L. candidum than in other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt was made to regenerate bulblets from ex vitro node explants of hybrid lilies in the year 2007. Node sections (3-4 mm) isolated from the middle part of the stem in hybrid lilies were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with several combinations of NAA and BA. Growth regulator-free medium was not effective in inducing bulblet regeneration. A significant increase in the percent of explant producing bulblets and number of bulblets per explant was observed when 2 mg/l NAA was used in combination with 1.5 or 2 mg/l BA. The heaviest bulblets were obtained with 2 mg/l NAA in combination with 1.5 mg/l BA after 90 days of culture. The cultivar Apeldoorn produced greater number of bulblets whereas more weighty bulblets were produced in the cultivar Beartix. 1 or 2 mg/l IBA was most effective in producing roots. The rooted bulblets were hardened with 80-82% survival success after 30 days of transfer in the pots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The production period of virus-free seed garlic was shortened by the artificial control of light supplementation and substrate cultivation. • Resultant commercial garlic had improved virus-free effects and quality. • Breeding efficiency nearly five times better than conventionally farmed garlic. • Light supplement with dark break greatly increased bulb formation. The garlic (Allium sativum L.) industry is faced with severe problems such as virus accumulation and low reproduction coefficients due to long-term asexual propagation. In vitro propagation may be an effective method to solve such problems. In the present study, a complete virus-free and rapid propagation technology system from explants to bulblets have been established based on a tissue culture method using the inflorescence of the introduced and domesticated Xinjiang purple peel garlic "Jiangjin No.1″ as explants. The inflorescences were divided into three groups based on the length ratio of the flower stem to the pseudostem to optimize the harvest time of explants. The result indicated that the inflorescences harvested during the stage when the ratio of flower stem length to pseudostem length was 08–0.9 had the best induction efficiency of bulblets. The obtained virus-free seed garlic and commercial garlic were tested for physio-biochemical and viral indices. Subsequently, the effects of different photoperiod treatments and culture media on the growth of plants originating from the bulblets were assessed. Our results indicated that the virus-free seed garlic and commercial garlic exhibited good virus-free effects and their quality was improved to a large extent. Concomitantly, the breeding efficiency was nearly five times higher than that of traditional breeding methods, resulting in greatly reduced production cost. The formation of underground bulbs was significantly affected by photoperiod treatment, while substrates had a slight influence. The underground bulb formation rate could reach 96% when the bulblets were cultivated on an inorganic substrate under the light source to break the darkness at night. The whole process from bulblets to virus-free seed garlic was completed in a relatively short period (four months) by providing the required nutrients regularly and replenishing artificial light. Compared with conventional field planting, the production period of virus-free seed garlic was shortened by approximately a year. Overall, our study can give important insights into the process optimization of virus-free seed garlic preparation, and make the reproduction, popularization and industrialization of seed garlic free of virus a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One-year-old scale bulblets of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. ‘Nellie White’ (Easter lily) were grown under a combination of six constant day/night temperature regimes and five N–P–K nutrient treatments under short days for 107d (growing period 1 or GP-1) to compare the effects on growth and development and bulb production. Results during GP-1 were as follows: failure of bulblets to produce a shoot (“no-shows”) was found at high temperatures (30/26 and 26/22°C) and not influenced by the nutrient treatments. Flower bud abortion was observed in the minus-N, minus-P, and minus-N–P–K treatments at high temperatures (30/26 or 26/22°C), but not observed at any temperatures in the complete and minus-K treatments. The loss of bulb fresh weight in minus-N treated bulblets was less than in the other treatments resulting in less root and shoot growth in the minus-N treatment. At the intermediate temperatures where growth was highest, omission of N, P, K, or all three resulted in losses in stem bulb fresh weight, stem plus leaf fresh weight, number of flowers, and stem root fresh weight. Omission of N, P, or all three nutrients resulted in lowest basal root fresh weight. Bulb N and K concentrations were lowest in plants grown with complete nutrient solution at the two coldest temperature regimes (14/10 and 10/6°C). Bulb P concentration was lowest at the three coldest (18/14, 14/10 and 10/6°C) and the warmest (30/26°C) temperature regimes. Stem length was shorter when P was omitted. Omission of any of the three nutrients resulted in lower concentrations of the other nutrients. The one exception was where low K did not affect N concentration. In the second phase of the experiment, plants grown at 18/14°C and irrigated with the complete nutrient solution for 107d (GP-1) were continued at this day/night temperature regime and five N–P–K nutrient treatments for another 89d under long days (growing period 2 or GP-2). Results during GP-2 were as follows. Basal bulb yield was not impacted by omission of N, P, or K, or all three. Of all growth measurements, only stem plus leaf fresh weight was lower and only when all three nutrients (minus-N–P–K) were omitted. At the end of GP-2, basal bulb concentrations of N and P did not differ from the concentrations in bulbs at the beginning of GP-1; however, K concentration was lower at the end of GP-2. Omission of N or P further resulted in lower bulb K concentration, suggesting that a moderate supply of N, P, and K be applied during GP-2 since an additional year of bulb production is needed to produce forcing-sized bulbs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The life-history characteristics of Cardiocrinum cordatum (Thunb.) Makino (Liliaceae) are described here. This is a unique monocarpic perennial herb of temperate broad-leaved deciduous forests in the Japanese Islands and adjacent Far East regions. New aerial shoots appear above ground in mid April to early May. Cardiocrinum cordatum comprises distinct growth stages, single-leaf and multiple-leaved rosette stages, and then a flowering stage with a large multiflowered inflorescence at the top of the stem. The flowering plants attain 0.7–2.0 m in height and bear several large cordate cauline leaves, and 2–15 laterally blooming, greenish white flowers, 12–18 cm in size, are borne at the top of the straight inflorescence. Cardiocrinum cordatum depends on two reproductive modes, sexual reproduction via seeds and vegetative reproduction forming a few to several bulblets at the base of mother bulbs. The flowers are furnished with large nectar glands at the base of corolla, and the amount of nectar secreted is very high; thus, many bumblebee species are attracted to the flowers. Each flower has 600–670 ovules and produces 393–531 seeds (average 410). The average seed-setting rate per flower is high at 65–79%. An exceedingly large number of seeds with 4–5 mm thin filmy wings are produced, attaining several thousand (800–6000) in number per plant. Individuals asexually formed have large one-leaf or multiple-leaves, and can bypass crucial small juvenile stages with high mortality. In addition, because mature plants die after sexually reproducing once, ramets asexually reproduced can use the large spaces that the mother plants occupied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro cultures from two strains of Narcissus confusus (Amaryllidaceae) initiated from mature seeds were screened for their ability to produce alkaloids. Protocols for callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis were established. The alkaloid contents were determined by HPLC. Undifferentiated calli produced small amounts of galanthamine, which increased with the degree of tissue differentiation. Scanning electron micrographs of the cultures at different stages of development were made. Embryogenic friable calli were maintained in culture for more than 2 years, retaining a high regeneration capability. All regenerated plants showed normal morphological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]