Thin Cell Layer, a Suitable Explant for In vitro Regeneration of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a sterile species and biotechnological method is suggested to improve different characteristic in this valuable plant. In this study, an efficient protocol was provided for callus induction and regeneration of saffron using thin cell layer explants. Longitudinally and transversally, thin cell layer explants with approximately 1 mm thickness of apical buds were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-BenzylAminoPurine (BAP) and 1-NaphthaleneAcetic Acid (NAA). The highest amount of callus induction (100%) was obtained from transverse thin cell layer explants of apical bud in MS medium containing 2 mg L-1 BAP and 2 mg L^-1 NAA during 3 months incubation under dark condition at 20°C. The maximum percent of shoot regeneration (75%) was observed on the MS medium containing 0.5 mg L^-1 BAP. The results of this investigation revealed that the thin cell layers from buds are suitable explants for regeneration.