Micropropagation of endangered Iris ferdowsii Joharchi & Memariani through callus induction

Choosing the best method of plant propagation is one of the basic principles in preserving wild plants as a genetic source. Iris ferdowsii Joharchi & Memariani, sp. is a newly introduced plant and is in danger of extinction. In order to induce callus, leafbase explants of seedlings grown from in vitro seed embryos were used. Leafbase explants obtained from 21-day-old seedlings. Callus induction was performed in MS basal culture medium containing different concentrations of BA and 2,4-D. The results showed that the use of 4.52 µM 2,4-D + 10.92 µM BA was the best combination to induce callus from the explant (51.11%). High quality calluses were obtained in this combination. By increasing the concentration of BA and 2,4-D in the culture medium, the quality of callus decreased and also the amount of callus production decreased. After transferring calli to MS culture medium containing different concentrations of BA and NAA, regeneration was observed in them. The best callus regeneration compound was 7.28 µM BA + 1.07 µM NAA. Callus regeneration in these treatments was more than 80%. Rooting was performed in ½ MS medium without plant growth regulator. Also, the use of perlite substrates and 17 °C is the best condition for the acclimation of seedlings produced under in vitro culture. The result were shown that callus induction by leafbase is the effective way to propagate Iris ferdowsii in outside the natural plant habitat.