Effect of different concentrations of BA on the shoot multiplication of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L. cv. Arma) buds by in vitro culture

Abstract

The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of different benzyl adenine concentrations in culture medium on the axillary buds response of ‘Arma’ tulip cultivar to shoot multiplication in addition to the number of lateral shoots per explant, the number of leaves per shoot, and the length of shoots. For this purpose, Murashige and Skoog medium was supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 naphthalene acetic acid and various levels (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mg L-1) of benzyl adenine. The previously mentioned indices were monitored after eight weeks of culturing. The results showed that 1 mg L-1 benzyl adenine treatment resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of response to shoot multiplication which reached 83.33% after eight weeks of culture. However, apical buds did not respond to shoot multiplication under any of the tested concentrations. Additionally, the axillary buds growing on the MS medium with a concentration of 1.0 mg L-1 benzyl adenine recorded an increase in shoots number and length compared to other treatments with 5.33 shoots per explant and 5.67 cm, respectively. While 0.5 mg L-1 benzyl adenine recorded the lowest shoot multiplication response, shoots length, and number of leaves per shoot (61.0%, 2.33 cm, and 1.67 leaves per shoot, respectively).