Abstract

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii (H.) Bolus) is a cut flower with increasing commercial importance. It grows well in tropical and subtropical zones. An experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud during 1998-2000 to standardize the protocol for production of adventitious shoots from in vitro leaf explants of gerbera cv. YCD. 1. The in vitro derived leaf explants were inoculated in three media viz. MS, G and 1/2 MSH supplemented with combinations of KIN at 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg 1-1 with GA at 0.5 and 1.0 mg 1-1. Culturing the leaf explants in MS medium supplemented with KIN 5.0 mg-1 with GA 0.5 mg 1-1 recorded the highest percentage as well as the earliest formation of adventitious shoots. Among the three media, MS medium was the best."

Keywords: Gerbera, Tissue culture, Media, Growth regulators, Adventitious shoots.