The High Propagation Efficiency of Amaryllis (Hippeastrum Hybridum) Using of In Vitro Culture System

Since conventional propagation methods of Amaryllis are relatively slow and they are not cost effective, therefore the micropropagation of this desirable plant was studied in the current research. Two separate experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, the effect of two media (MS and NL) and different concentrations of 2, 4-D (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg.L-1) were compared. In the second experiment, the effect of media (MS and NL) and different concentrations of BAP (0, 1, 2 mg.L-1) were investigated. Five different explant types (twin scale, single scale with basal plate, single scale without basal plate, scape and basal plate) were used and the rate of bulblet regeneration, the number of regenerated bulblet and diameter of regenerated bulblet were recorrded. Results showed that by increasing the concentration of 2, 4-D, bulblet production was reduced and in some cases it led to the death of explants. However in the second experiment all of explants produced bulblet in the presence of BAP and as the concentrqation of BAP was increased the size of bulblets were also increased. In conclusion, the highest rate of bulblet production were observed in the NL media containing BAP whereas, the highest number of bulblets (4.25) were observed in the NL medium containing 1.0 mg.L-1 of 2,4-D. The largest diameter of bulblets were produced in the first experiment from twin scale and single scale explants in MS medium containing 0.5 mg.L-1 of 2, 4-D. In conclusion, the bulb explants could be used to achieve an optimal micropropagation protocol of Hippeastrum.