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CULTIVATION OF LILIES (LILIUM REGALE) FOR COMMERCIALIZATION IN PAKISTAN

K. SAIFULLAH¹, N. SHEEBA¹, R. MARIAM¹, K. NAHEED¹, N. ASMA¹ AND S. BUSHRA²

Abstract: The current study envisages producing Lilium regale plants on a large scale, employing cost-effective in-vitro protocols. The effect of various concentrations and types of plant growth regulators were observed to optimize the media for large scale propagation. Initiated buds were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5-4.0 mgL^-1); IBA (0.5 and 1.0 mgL^-1) and IAA (1.0 mgL^-1). A rich solid mass of white-green callus was produced. Greatest number and length of shoots were produced in a medium containing BAP (2.0 mgL^-1), IBA (1.0 mgL^-1), IAA (1.0 mgL^-1), Peptone (1.0 mgL^-1) and sugar (60 gL^-1). Rooting started on media containing half the concentration of MS salts, supplemented with NAA (1.0 mgL^-1) and activated charcoal (2 mgL^-1). Three weeks after a rich mass of roots were obtained, the plants were transplanted individually in small clay pots and kept in close tunnels where the relative humidity was approximately 40%. Four weeks after acclimatization, the plantlets were shifted into green houses.

¹Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Division. International Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences, H.E.J. Research Institute, University of Karachi 75270, Pakistan

²Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, (SZABIST), Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan