In vitro regeneration studies in gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus)

Abstract

An efficient protocol was developed on in vitro regeneration and acclimatization of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus). Seeds were used as the primary explants for in vitro establishment. Early shoot regeneration from in vitro shoots was noticed in MS medium supplemented with 4 mg l-1 BAP + 0.3 mg l-1 IAA within 12.13 days with maximum number of shoots per clump (4.80), leaves per shoot (10.27) and shoot length (3.85 cm) at six weeks of inoculation. Root initiation was early (10.87 days) when shoots cultured on MS medium containing IBA at 2 mg l-1 that also produced highest number of roots per shoot (4.73) and maximum root length (3.47 cm). In acclimatization process highest survival rate was achieved with coco peat alone compared to other media composition. Further tissue cultured plants were subjected to ELISA to confirm that the plants were free from cucumber mosaic virus (CMV).