Morphogenic Potential of Cultured Floral Explants of Crocus sativus L. for the In Vitro Production of Saffron

Abstract

Explants of immature ovaries, stigmas, anthers and petals were cultured on White's medium supplemented with either NAA and zeatin or 2,4-D and BAP in various combinations. The formation of stigma-like structures occurred on the explants or on the callus derived from the explants, but this was only observed when NAA and zeatin were used. Formation of stigma-like structures was observed on anthers, petals, stigmas and half-ovaries, with the best result being obtained on explants consisting of half-ovaries cultured on medium containing NAA at 4.0 mg dm-3 and zeatin at 4.0 mg dm-3. These stigmas developed an intense orange pigment and grew to 3.0 cm in length and had a strong saffron aroma. A preliminary comparison using thin layer chromatography of the yellow pigments produced by the stigma-like structures grown in vitro and those grown naturally showed the pigment composition to be similar.