Researches on micropropagation of Crocus nerimaniae Yüzb. (sultan çiğdemi)

The species Crocus nerimaniae Yüzb. is an endemic species evaluated in the 'EN' (endangered) category. In this study, in vitro studies were conducted for the conservation and propagation of the species. For this purpose, corms, roots, leaves, in vitro obtained leaves, shoot buds and seeds of the species were utilized as explant. The seeds of the plant, after being stored for 3 months at +4°C, were used in the experiments. In vitro conditions, with 55% germination achieved in seeds cultured at +4°C in the dark on MS medium supplemented with 20 gl-1 sucrose. Radicula emergence occured 3 months after the culture initation. Corm formation was observed in all seedlings. In the studies conducted with corm explants, contamination proved to be a significant problem in the culture. The contamination issue was overcome by adding 8 mll-1 PPM to the nutrient medium, but corm explants did not respond to the culture. Sterilization procedure of shoot buds was successful at a rate of 90% in the experiments. In vitro cormlets were obtained in MS medium containing 20 gl-1 sucrose from shoot buds. Culturing in vitro leaves obtained through seed germination as explants resulted in the formation of calluses in different amounts. The calluses exhibit embryogenic characteristics, with the highest callus formation (60%) obtained in MS medium containing 5 mgl-1 NAA. Keywords: Crocus nerimaniae Yüzb., Germination, In vitro, Micropropagation, Corm