Abstract:
For encapsulation of microshoot, it was found that 3% sodium alginate and 1% calcium chloride was suitable to produce Persian violet artificial seed. When these artificial seeds were exposed to ultraviolet-C (UVC) for 1, 2 and 4 hr(s) and compared with direct UVC treated microshoots, the results showed that 50% lethal dose (LD50) were 4 and 3.8 hrs for artificial seeds and direct UVC treated microshoots, respectively. Moreover, the number of multiple shoots decreased as UVC exposure time increased. Decapitation assisted the escalating of floral number. Microshoot treated with 4 hrs UVC had tiny flower bud within 3 days and gave the highest amount of flower (6.80 flowers) in 10 weeks. From morphological study of the in vitro flower, it was revealed that floral size and number of petal increased with the increasing time of exposure while color of petal and anther was pale. In case of Persian violet pollen viability and germinability, the lowest percentages were obtained in direct UVC treated microshoots (62.28 and 4.83%, respectively).