An Efficient in vitro Propagation Protocol of Pot Calla lily (Zantedeschia spp cv. Orania and Sunclub) via Tuber Production

Zantedeschia spp is an important flower in the ornamental plants market. Due to the high demand for this plant in the horticultural industry, it is indispensable to introduce an in vitro protocol for its mass propagation. For this aim, the tubers of calla lily were disinfected in a hot water bath with different temperatures (30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 oC) and duration (30 or 35 min). Then explants were cultured on MS medium with different combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Kinetin (Kin). Based on the obtained results, the highest disinfection percentage (more than 90%) was obtained at 45 oC for 35 min. Also, the highest proliferation rate (with an average of 15.33 and 14.32 in cv. Orania and cv. Sunclub, respectively) was observed in 2.5 mg L-1 BAP + 1.5 mg L-1 Kin. The highest rooting percentage (100% in both cultivars) and root number per explant (with an average of 4.00 and 3.03 in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) was obtained in 0.5 mg L-1 Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 0.1 mg L-1 Kin, but the highest root length (with an average of 120.0 and 106.6 mm in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) was observed in 1.0 mg L-1 IAA + 0.1 mg L-1 Kin. In MS medium + 2.0 mg L-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 4% Sucrose, the highest number of tubers (with an average of 6.66 and 5.21 in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) was formed. The highest fresh and dry weights (with an average of 948.33 and 851.33 mg in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) of tuber were obtained in 2.0 mg L-1 IBA + 6% sucrose. The rooted and tuberous plants were adapted in the greenhouse successfully.