Direct Shoot Formation and Microtuberization from Aseptic Seedlings of Cyclamen mirabile Hildebr

In this study, an efficient propagation method was developed for Cyclamen mirabile Hildebr., an endangered endemic species having ornamental importance in Turkey. Sterilized seeds of C. mirabile were cultured on full and half-strength ( one half )Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media for germination and seedling growth. Tissues excised from 8 week-old seedlings were used as explant source for shoot regeneration and microtuberization. Shoots were obtained from only tuber slices on Bourgin-Nitsch (BN) medium supplemented with auxin and cytokinin. The largest of number of shoots (12.2 shoots/explant) was obtained on one half MS medium containing 1 mg L super(-1) NAA and 0.5 mg L super(-1) kinetin. Microtubers were formed in the medium promoting shoot proliferation. The highest microtuber formation was obtained on the medium containing 2 mg L super(-1) BA plus 0.1 mg L super(-1) NAA.