R. Kapoor - Biotechnology Department, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan (H.P.), India.
S. Kumar - Biotechnology Department, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan (H.P.), India.
J.K. Kanwar - Biotechnology Department, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan (H.P.), India.

An attempt was made to regenerate bulblets from ex vitro node explants of hybrid lilies in the year 2007. Node sections (3-4 mm) isolated from the middle part of the stem in hybrid lilies were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with several combinations of NAA and BA. Growth regulator-free medium was not effective in inducing bulblet regeneration. A significant increase in the percent of explant producing bulblets and number of bulblets per explant was observed when 2 mg/l NAA was used in combination with 1.5 or 2 mg/l BA. The heaviest bulblets were obtained with 2 mg/l NAA in combination with 1.5 mg/l BA after 90 days of culture. The cultivar Apeldoorn produced greater number of bulblets whereas more weighty bulblets were produced in the cultivar Beartix. 1 or 2 mg/l IBA was most effective in producing roots. The rooted bulblets were hardened with 80-82% survival success after 30 days of transfer in the pots.

Asiatic hybrids, Bulblet, growth regulators, Micropropagation, Node explant, Oriental hybrids