In Vitro Propagation of Gladiolus: Optimisation of Conditions for Shoot Multiplication

Effect of some physical and chemical factors on In vitro shoot multiplication in Gladiolus was investigated. A modified MS medium with NH₄NO₃ reduced to half strength, KH₂PO₄ replaced with 300 mg/l of NaH²PO₄. 2 H₂O and Kl omitted completely, was found to be better than the original MS. BAP was better than either kinetin or 2iP. Of the various physical factors studied, the propagule size, light and container volume influenced the rate of shoot multiplication. On the modified medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP in dark, the propagules bearing 20 buds showed 8-fold multiplication.