Rapid and stable propagation ofOrnithogalum umbellatum L. in long term culture.

Callus cultures were raised from bulb scale segments ofOrinthogalum umbellatum L. (Liliaceae), on a Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) with 8 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Bulbous shoots developed from calli after 2 months using MS medium with 2 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l N(6) - benzyladenine (BA). Shoots were also induced directly from scales of regenerated bulb used as secondary explants on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BA. Shoots developed roots in 1/2 - strength MS medium. Regenerants multiplied rapidly in 1/2-MS liquid medium. Chromosome instability was reduced in callus grown on 2 mg/l NAA compared to callus grown on 8 mg/l NAA. Callus retained regeneration potential for 5 years in this modified MS medium. The chromosome analysis of regenerants dervied from callus, even from long term culture of 5 years, revealed only diploid cells with normal karyotype comprising 2n=46 chromosomes. Stable nature of callus and regenerants were further confirmed by cytophotometry. This procedure can be applied for securing stable regenerants on a mass scale inO. umbellatum.