Bulblet production from node explant grown in vitro in hybrid lilies

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.