Investigation of in vitro propagation techniques of some geophytes with endemic and ornamental plant potential growing in the flora of Tokat

This study was conducted to determine some physical and chemical properties of the soils of the growing areas, as well as the aesthetic (color, shape, size, texture, and odor) and ecological characteristics (growth rate, water, light, temperature, and soil requirements), and micropropagation protocols for the endemic and ornamental potential taxa Lilium akkusianum R. Gamperle, Scilla bifolia L. and Allium scorodoprassum L. subsp. rotundum (L.) Stearn, which grow naturally in Tokat province. As part of the in vitro study, leaf and root explants were cultured at 25±2 °C, 16/8 hours light/dark, and 3000 lux light intensity for 15 days at 25±2 °C, in constant darkness, on MS and B5 nutrient media supplemented with hormone combinations containing different doses of 2,4-D (0.1-1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) and kinetin (0.1-1.0 mg L-1). Callus explants were cultured in media supplemented with MS+2,4-D (0.1 and 0.5 mg L-1) and GA3 (0.1 and 1.0 mg L-1).The results indicated that the L. akkusianum and S. bifolia soils were clayey, while the A. scorodoprasum L. subsp. rotundum soils were sandy. The soils were salt-free, with pH levels ranging from 6.15 to 7.70 and containing moderate to low amounts of lime. The soil organic matter was found to be sufficient in L. akkusianum and S. bifolia, but low in A. scorodoprasum subsp. rotundum. In the soil, P, 2.50-3.80 kg/da, K, 22.0-57.3 kg/da, Ca, 1050.00-4670.00 kg/da, Mg, 179.00-732.50 mg/kg, Cu, 0.73-1.16 mg/kg, Fe, 2.58-33.54 mg/kg, Mn, 0.02-15.78 mg/kg, Zn, 0.1-0.6 mg/kg values vary. Aesthetic evaluations revealed that L. akkusianum stood out with its height, flower form, and pleasant fragrance, while A. scorodoprassum subsp. rotundum attracted attention with its characteristic foul odor. When the ecological requirements of the taxa were examined, A. scorodoprassum subsp. rotundum exhibited a higher tolerance to urban stress conditions, particularly compared to other plants. In vitro, higher bulb formation was observed in leaf explants of L. akkusianum in the dark compared to B5 medium. MS medium (1.0 mg L-1 2,4-D/0.1 mg L-1 kinetin) and dark conditions were the most effective in bulb formation from root explants. In S. bifolia, the most effective medium for bulb formation from leaves was B5 medium (1.0 mg L-1 2,4-D/0.1 mg L-1 kinetin and 2.0 mg L-1 2,4-D/0.1 mg L-1 kinetin, 24.00 units) and light conditions. In S. bifolia, B5 medium and dark conditions were the most effective in callus formation from leaf explants. The most successful combination for bulb formation from callus explants was MS+0.1 mg L-1 2,4 D+1.0 mg L-1 GA₃. The most successful application for callus formation from root explants of A. scorodoprassum subsp. rotundum was achieved using B5 medium under dark conditions. Generally, the effectiveness of plant growth regulators was affected by light conditions. 24 hours of darkness was found to be more successful in bulb and callus formation than 16 hours of light/8 hours of darkness. Rooted plantlets of L. akkusianum and S. bifolia were transferred to pots containing a 3:1 mixture of garden and forest soil, and 95% survival was measured after 2 months.