Regeneration and Somatic Variation in Pelargonium roseum L.

The Pelargonium roseum L. is an ornamental plant with important medical properties. The purpose of this study was to optimized the proliferation and regeneration of Pelargonium roseum L. and investigation of the possible somatic variation in the regenerated plant. In this study first explants from the terminal buds as well as some small part of the stem were prepared and cultured in MS basal medium. Then some fragments of the cultured explants including parts of stems and leaves were isolated and transferred to mediums containing different growth regulators to stimulate micro-regeneration of the plants. From regenerated plants several lines were selected and their morphological characters as well as genetic diversity were evaluated. The rate of shoots and roots production was maximum in mediums containing leaf explants supplemented with 2mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA. Somatic variation of the regenerated lines in comparison with control group showed differences in leaf shape and number, in addition genetic differences were expressed in form of band addition and band removal in bonding pattern of DNA. The different percentage of shoots and roots production was an indication of the inductive effect of mediums and explants variation on regeneration of the Pelargonium roseum L. Comparison of genetic variation and morphological diversity of regenerated plants could show the common base of genetic for somatic variation.