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Micropropagation protocol of Oriental Hybrid Lilium cv. Ravenna was developed using bulb scale segments (Basal and Tip) as explants. Surface sterilization of healthy bulb scales with carbendazim 200 ppm for 30 min, then 0.1 percent mercuric chloride for 10 min, then 70% ethyl alcohol for 30 s was superior to all other treatments in recording highest culture asepsis (77.08%) and higher explant survival (86.12%). Explant survival was higher in basal segments (88.54%) compared to tip segments (85.52%). Highest culture establishment was recorded in basal scale segments (68.26%) followed by tip scale segments (55.21%). MS medium augmented with 0.50 mgl−1 Naphthalene acetic acid and 2.0 mgl−1. 6-Benzylamino Purine recorded maximum culture establishment (76.17%), highest bulblet number/explant (5.52) with maximum length of shoots (2.20 cm) and number of leaves (3.39). This treatment combination of growth regulators resulted in highest shoot proliferation (83.33%) along with maximum shoot number (2.41explant−1), shoot length (2.35 cm) and leaf number (5.44) of micro shoots during proliferation stage. Rooting of explants was superior with Indole-3-butyric acid compared to Naphthalene acetic acid. Highest rooting of 92.71% along with maximum number of primary roots shoot−1 (12.06), maximum primary root length (3.17 cm) was documented in Murashige and Skoog medium added with Indole-3-butyric acid 1.50 mgl−1 with best ex vitro survival rate (98.96%) of rooted plantlets during primary hardening in perlite + vermiculite (1:1) mixture.

Graphical abstract, An efficient protocol for in-vitro propagation of an important ornamental crop, Petunia hybrida Vilm. Cv. “Bravo” was developed. The explants that were used to carry out the experiment were Leaf segments, nodal segments and shoot tips. Nodal segments recorded highest per cent asepsis followed by shoot tips and leaf segments. Asepsis was found to be highest when the explants were sterilized with Fungicide (Carbendazim) 0.02% for the duration of 30 min followed by 0.1% HgCl2 for duration of 10 min and then ethanol 70% for 10 s. Longer duration of the sterilant treatment showed more necrotic effects on the explants, thus mercuric chloride treatment when given for 5 min proved to be more effective in terms of survival of the explants. Maximum establishment per cent was recorded in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media fortified with BAP (1.5 mg L−1) and IBA (0.5 mg L−1) in shoot tips and nodal segments, i.e. 97.90 and 95.74% respectively. Callus was efficiently induced and developed when PGR amalgamation of BAP (0.1 mg L−1) and 2,4-D (1.5mg L−1) was used. Kinetin at the concentration of 2.0 mg L−1 along with IBA at 0.5mg L−1 recorded highest callus regeneration in both leaf and internodal segment derived callus. Maximum proliferation percent of shoots (97.90%), highest number of shoots (20.50 explant−1) and maximum length of shoot (2.70 cm) was recorded in PGR combination of IBA and BAP both at 0.5 mg L−1 concentration level. Rhizogenesis was recorded to be highest in the MS media containing IBA 1.00 mg L−1. Best hardening media which recorded maximum survival per cent 92.50% was noticed on the media formulation comprised of equal ratio of perlite and vermiculite mix, under poly house conditions.

Germination and seed quality of China aster are crucial features that affect seedling survival and establishment when seeded directly in a field. Moreover, freak weather events in changing climate scenarios and biotic stress have often resulted in poor seedling quality and survival of China aster. Subsequently, the impact of a range of priming techniques on germination, seedling survival and growth of cv. Powderpuff of China aster newly introduced in Kashmir valley was scrutinized at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory. Seeds were subjected to two treatment methods (3 hydro-priming and 2 halo-priming), constituting a total of six treatment combinations (T0–T5) in CRD (completely randomized design), with four replications. The analyzed variables were seedling survival percentage, germination percentage, seedling collar diameter, seedling fresh weight, shoot–root ratio and the number of leaves/seedling. The analyzed data on the influence of priming treatments on germination percentage are depicted, showing that different priming agents have a significant influence on pre- and post-germination attributes. Significantly, maximum germination percentage (87.50%), seedling survival percentage (81.95), seedling fresh weight (0.0031 g), seedling collar diameter (0.101 cm), number of leaves seedling−1 (7.01) and shoot–root ratio (1.044) were recorded in treatment T5 (2% KNO3 18 h) and minimum (42.50) in case of control (T0), i.e., un-primed seeds. Halo-conditioning with KNO3 for 12 h significantly improved germination percentage, seedling survival percentage, seedling diameter, leaf number per seedling and shoot–root ratio. In conclusion, KNO3 played a vital role in the establishment and survival of seedlings in the field, under Kashmir conditions.