Influence of Explants and Sterilants on In-Vitro Regeneration of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii)

Ireen Nahar 1, Md Shafikur Rahman 1, Md. Mainul Islam Rashad 2, Md. Rafiqul Islam 3 and Khadiza Khatun 1*

1 Department of Biotechnology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.

2 Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.

3 Department of Biotechnology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh.

✉ *Corresponding author: kkr@pstu.ac.bd

Research article first published online: 12 March 2026 | Open Access

DOI https://doi.org/10.18801/jbar.360126.337

Abstract

Efficient micropropagation of Gerbera jamesonii is essential for large-scale production. Usually, multiplication is accomplished using rhizome cuttings or seeds. Using both direct and indirect tissue culture techniques has resulted in fast multiplication of gerbera cultivars with enhanced agronomic features. To optimize propagation efficiency, we evaluated the effect of explant type, size, and hormonal combinations on in vitro callus formation across three Gerbera varieties (red, yellow, and pink). Specifically, leaf and flower bud were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with varying concentrations of BAP (2.0-5.0 mg L⁻¹) and NAA (0.1-1.0 mg L⁻¹). It is worth noting that the red variety exhibited better response in callus induction than the yellow and pink varieties. Among the tested tissues, good response was observed in the flower buds measuring 0.6-1.0 cm (90%), or the 3rd-position leaf (80% callus induction). In addition, to find a suitable protocol for minimizing microbial contamination, we customized the sterilization process in different way. For leaf explants, a dual HgCl₂ treatment combined with Tween-20 produced a 75% callus response alongside minimal contamination. In contrast, flower bud explants responded best to a sequential protocol involving Bavistin, ethanol, and Clorox, which achieved an 85% induction rate. Further In-Vitro regeneration studies of gerbera are necessary to develop a protocol for large-scale propagation of gerbera in Bangladesh.

Keywords

Explants, Sterilizing agents, Micropropagation and Gerbera jamesonii

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