Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2007.3927.3930Crocus sativus L.)]]>RajabpoorSh. AzghandiA. V.SabooraA. 1220071021To optimize an in vitro protocol for propagation of saffron through somatic embryogenesis, effects of various concentrations of 2,4-D ( 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg L-1) in combination with BAP (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg L-1) were studied. Surface-sterilized corms were cut transversally into equal portions and the upper or lower parts were used separately as explants. All treatments were maintained in the darkness at 24±2 °C. After 70 days, the first globular embryos were observed and the number of embryos on each explant reached to its maximum 3 months after culture. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between treatments regarding the number of embryos induced on each explant. The most effective treatment was 2.0 mg L-1 2,4-D + 1.0 mg L-1 BAP for both types of explant (inducing 6.5±1.3 and 35.95±4.9 embryos on each explant for the upper and lower parts, respectively). The average percentages of explants showing embryogenic response were 33.3 and 93.3% for the upper and the lower part of corm tissue respectively in this treatment. Complementary studies are in progress to optimize maturation and germination stages of these somatic embryos.]]>Bagheri, A. and S. Vesal,20032003pp: 110Blazquez, S., A. Piqueras, M.D. Serna, J.L. Casas and J.A. Fernandez,2004650269276Cook, T.J., R.H. Racusen and J.D. Cohen,1993514941495Feher, A., T.P. Pasternak and D. Dudits,200374201228Fernandez, J.A.,20042127159Fisher, C. and G. Neuthaus,199659659669Gaj, M.D.,2004Arabidopsis thaliana Heynt.]]>432747George, P.S., S. Visvanath, G.A. Ravishankar and L.V. Venkataraman,1992Crocus sativus L.): Somatic embryogenesis and shoot regeneration.]]>6217223Jimenez, V.M. and C. Thomas,200530103118Kafi, M., M.H. Rashed, A. Kochake and A. Molapheyayi,2002Karamian, R.,2004Crocus specie.]]>650253259Liuc, M., Z.H. Xu and N.H. Chua,19935621630Radjabian, T.,19921992Raemakers, G.J.J.M., E. Jacobsen and P.G.F. Visser,19953193107Sadeghi, B. A. Aghamiri and A. Negari,20032003pp: 171172Schiavone, F.M. and T.J. Cooke,19876315731573Sedighara, P.,20032003pp: 368382