In vitro Regeneration and Synthetic Seed Production of Colchicum cilicicum Grown Naturally in Turkey

Colchicum belongs to the Colchicaceae family and is naturally distributed in Turkey with 36 taxa. Colchicum species is known for both its medicinal aromatic and ornamental properties. In this study, Colchicum cilicium corms were cultured on RO medium including different dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4- D) concentrations (2,3,4 mgL-1 ) for in vitro regeneration and developing somatic embryogenesis protocol. Swelling of the corm explants, efficient embryogenic callus and somatic embryo were obtained at RO medium including 4 mgL-1 2,4-D (30%). Embryogenic structures were histologically analyzed and globular, heart-like shape, torpedo stages were identified. Microcorm formation was obtained from the media with 2 mgL-1 2,4-D + 0.05 mgL-1 2iP as (81%) and germination of these microcorm were limited. Somatic embryos were encapsulated for germination and the highest germination rate was detected at 3% Na Alginate including RO medium+ 4mgL-1 2,4-D as 27.8%.