Morphogenic potential of cultured floral explants of Crocus sativus L. for the in vitro production of saffron

• Published in: Journal of experimental botany 1990, Vol.41 (222), p.47-52
• Main Authors: Fakhrai, F, Evans, P.K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Anthers; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Callus; Corms; corolla; Crocus sativus; crop production; Culture media; Economic plant physiology; Eukaryotic cell cultures; Flower stigma; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gynoecium; in vitro; In vitro culture; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Miscellaneous; Ovaries; Petals; Pigments; Plant cells and fungal cells; Plant physiology and development; Saffron; stigma; tissue culture; Tissue culture techniques; Tissue cultures, protoplasts
• ISSN: 0022-0957; 1460-2431

Explants of immature ovaries, stigmas, anthers and petals of Crocus sativus were cultured on White's media supplemented with either NAA and zeatin or 2,4-D and BAP in various combinations. The formation of stigma-like structures occurred on the explants or on the callus derived from the explants, but this was only observed when NAA and zeatin were used. Formation of stigma-like structures were observed on anthers, petals, stigmas and half-ovaries, with the best result being obtained on explants consisting of half-ovaries cultured on medium containing NAA at 4.0 mg dm-3 and zeatin at 4.0 mg dm-3. These stigmas developed an intense orange pigment and grew to 3.0 cm in length and had a strong saffron aroma. A preliminary comparison using thin layer chromatography of the yellow pigments produced by the stigma-like structures grown in vitro and those grown naturally showed the pigment composition to be similar.