Evaluation of micro and macro propagation techniques of Gerbera (Gerbera Jamesonii) under different conditions

Gerbera has gained popularity in the last year in many countries of the world and it is in great demand in the floral industry as cut flower as well as potted due to its beauty, colour, long vase life, and ability to dehydrate after long transportation. Conventional propagate is too slow. Accordingly, the current investigation was undertaken with the objectives of establishing the most suitable micropropagation techniques of Gerbera in Sudan and to select the best medium/media for macropropagation of Gerbera. Shoot tips and petioles of five Gerbera cultivars were tested for shoot and root induction. Three kinds of cytokinins, BAP, Kintin and 2ip, were used for induction, and two auxins, IBA and NAA were used for root induction at four concentrations of each. Different growth media, including different ratios of peatmoss, sand and silt, were used in macropropagation experiment. For shoot induction, BAP was found the best since it resulted in the highest number of shoots/ plantlet. Moreover, 1mg/l concentration was the best of BAP. For root induction, the two auxins, IBA and NAA, gave comparable results, with NAA being slightly better up to 1 mg/ l. Among the growth media used in in-vivo propagation peat moss was the best medium for propagation.