Establishment of Micro and Macro Propagation Techniques of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) in Sudan

Gerbera has gained popularity in many countries of the world and it is in great demand in the floral industry as cut flowers as well as potted plants due to its beauty, colour and long vase life. In Sudan, the interest of growing Gerbera has increased recently. However, its propagation through conventional methods is slow. Accordingly, the current investigation was undertaken with the objectives of establishing the most suitable micro- propagation techniques for Gerbera in Sudan and to select the best media for its macro- propagation. Shoot tips, leaves and petioles explants of four Gerbera jamesonii varieties (Jaguar, Red Explosion, Sazou and Zembla) were tested for shoot and root induction. Three kinds of cytokinins (BAP, kinetin and 2iP) at different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg 1E-1) were tested for shoot induction. The results revealed that BAP was the best cytokinin and 1.0 mg 1E-1 was the best concentration since it induced the highest number of shoots/plantlet (8.0 and 36.4) after two and four weeks, respectively. BAP at 1 mg 1E-1 combined with different concentrations of IBA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg 1E-1) was tested for shoot multiplication. Combination of 1.0 mg 1E-1 1BAP and 1.0mg 1E-1 IBA improved the multiplication rate significantly. Different concentrations of 2, 4.D (0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5mg 1E-1) were tested for callus induction from leaves and petiole explants of the gerbera varieties. 2, 4- D at 2mg 1E-1 was found to be the best for callus induction on all gerbera varieties. Combination of 2mg 1E-1 NAA with different concentrations of BAP (0,.1.0, 2.0 and 3mg 1E-1) were tested for callus induction on petiole explants. NAA at 2mg 1E-1 combined with BAP at 2mg 1E-1 produced the best result of callus induction on petiole explants of Gerbera, Jaguar variety. Two auxins, viz., IBA and NAA, were tested for root induction at four concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mg 1E-1). IBA and NAA gave comparable results for root induction, with IBA being slightly better at 1.5mg 1E-1. The plantlets were transferred to pots under plastic house condition conditions at 80% relative humidity during initial weaning period. Survival rate was 82% and normal flowers were produced after 60 days. Conventional propagation for two Gerbera jamesoii varieties (Red Explosion and Sazou) was evaluated using different types of soil mixtures (peat moss, silt, soil mixtures of silt and peat moss (3: 1 and 2: 1) and silt to sand (3: 1 and 2: 1) under plastic house condition conditions. Peat moss was the best medium for conventional propagation. The highest number of clumps (4.50), number of leaves (36.38), number of flowers (4.12), flowers stalk length (48.0, 43.50cm) and flowers diameter (12.0cm) were produced on peat moss media