IN-VITRO BULBLET REGENERATION FROM BULBSCALE EXPLANTS OF LILIUM-JAPONICUM THUNB - EFFECT OF PLANT-GROWTH REGULATORS AND CULTURE ENVIRONMENT

The interaction of auxin (NAA), cytokinins (BA, kinetin, 2iP and zeatin) and culture environment (light and temperature) on bulblet production from bulbscale explants of Lilium japonicum Thunb. were investigated. A combination of NAA and 2iP, in general, gave a better response than combinations involving other cytokinins. An incubation temperature of 20-degrees-C and continuous illumination were better than growing at 25-degrees-C in the dark. Regenerated bulblets predominantly originated from the basal end of explants in the control medium and this polarity was reversed by supplementing the medium with NAA + BA or NAA + 2iP. The importance of an illuminated environment for leaf induction in regenerated bulblets is discussed.