Vegetos

Abstract

Crocus sativus L. is the costliest known spice and is produced only in some parts of the world that too in low quantities. Due to restricted geographical distribution the expansion in area for its production is rare possibility. Hence pro-duction of saffron under in-vitro conditions inde-pendent of geographical location is the best al-ternative. In present study stigma like structures and stigma have been produced under in-vitro conditions using ovary as explant with different phytohormone combinations on G-5 media. Ovaries were cultured on media supplemented with different combinations of phytohormones. Stigma-like structures and stigma appeared on cultured ovaries. Stigma like structures having high potential for apocarotenoid biosynthesis were observed on G-5 media supplemented with 27μM NAA & 44.4 μM BA. Direct stigma having apocarotenoids at par with natural stigma were obtained on G-5 media supplemented with 0.5 mgL-¹ BAP, 0.1 mgL-¹ NAA & 0.5 mgL-¹ 2, 4-D using half ovary as an explant. Present study is the first report on development of apocarotenoid rich SLS with very high frequency of SLS develop-ment and development of direct stigma under in-vitro conditions.