Comparing the in vitro and in vivo propagation methods in three cultivars of African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendi.)

African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendi.) is an important ornamental plant due to its various colors and shapes. The present study was conducted to compare the in vitro and in vivo propagation methods in this plant. At in vitro culture, the interactive effect of five explant types (leaf blade, petiole, petiole without epidermis, whole inflorescence and flower without petals) and three cultivars (‘Cool Blue’, ‘Rondita’ and ‘Knight Rider’) cultivated on MS culture medium containing 0.1 mg/l NAA and 1 mg/l BA were investigated. At in vivo culture, leaf cuttings of three cultivars were cultured in wrapped plastic dishes contained 70% peat-moss and 30% perlite. Propagation speed and  number of buds in two methods were compared. Results showed explant type and cultivar effected the rate of regeneration significantly.  In cv. ‘Cool Blue’ there was not a significant difference in regeneration percent, bud production and number of leaves in all of the explant types. In cv. ‘Rondita’ the highest regeneration percent were observed in leaf blade (91.66%), petiole (91.66%) and petiole without epidermal (83.33%). Whereas in cv. ‘Knight Rider’ maximum regeneration percent (100%) was detected in leaf blade, whole inflorescence, flower without petals and petiole. The maximum (8.25) number of plantlets per explants in the in vivo method was observed in cv. ‘Cool Blue’ . Flowering time was significantly higher (180 to 230 days) in explants propagated at in vitro conditions compared to the ones propagated by in vivo method (120 to 140 days).  , However, the number of regenerated buds at in vitro culture were significantly higher than in vivo culture.