Investigation of somatic embryogenesis in some crocus species (Crocus sativus L., crocus ancyrensis, crocus pallasii subs. pallasii) grown naturally in Turkey

The aim of this study was to propagate some Crocus species which are cultivated and grown naturally in our country (Crocus sativus L., Crocus ancyrensis, Crocus pallasii ssp. pallasii) using somatic embryogenesis technique and to observe the stages of callus growth histologically for only Crocus sativus L.species . In vitro regeneration experiments were conducted using corm explants belong to different Crocus species to search micropropagation possibilities of this plant which is a valuable genetic resource of Turkey. In the experiments, different plant growth regulators; NAA (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg L-1), BA (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg L-1), 2 iP (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgL-1) and 2,4-D (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgL-1) combinations and concentrations were used to determine the growth and development of plants , As a result, conversion ratio of explants to the embryogenic callus, conversion ratio of embryogenic callus to embryo, investigation of embryo stages, survival ratio of explants were investigated for all Crocus species and the beginning stage of callus formation in C. sativus L. was determined via histological analysis.