IN VITRO CORMEL PRODUCTION OF GLADIOLUS

An efficient in vitro protocol for mass production of cormels of gladiolus cv. White friendship was developed by using different explant types and media supplemented with various growth regulators. The explants viz. nodal cultures from different stages of flower spike, whole cormels of various size, cormel sprouts taken at different timeintervals and cormel segments of White friendship were cultured and arranged in completely randomized design with factorial arrangements. The heading stage of nodal cultures, large sized whole cormels (0.6 g), 12 days old cormel sprouts and top segments of cormels were evaluated the best stage/size from each explant type for efficient shoot regeneration on MS medium supplemented with BAP (4 mg L^-1). The best responded stage/size from each explant type was further explored for rooting and cormel production. The better response for rooting was observed from the shoots of cormel sprouts on MS medium having IBA (2 mg L^-1) and sucrose (3%) as compared to other explants. The maximum cormel production was also observed from the same explant on MS medium supplemented with IBA (1 mg L^-1) and sucrose (7%) followed by IBA+ KIN (1 mg L^-1 each). The grading of in vitro produced cormels exhibited the highest cormel diameter (2.8-3.2 mm) from cormel sprouts as compared to other explants.