Mass propagation of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) through shoot culture

The effects of MS medium concentration, cytokinins, pH and auxin on shoot proliferation and root formation were investigated. The highest shoot production was obtained with half strength MS medium. Addition of kinetin or BA in half MS medium strongly suppressed shoot proliferation. The suppression of shoot proliferation was more effective in BA supplemented with half MS medium than kinetin supplemented. The optimum pH of the media for shoot proliferation was 5.7–6.7. Shoots were sub-cultured in half MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/litre 2,4-D for rooting every 8 weeks. All sub-cultured shoots produced extensive root system 5–6 week after culture. Plantets after root development were planted in plastic pots filled with coco peat, red soil, and sand in a 3:1:1 ratio. The survival rate of plantlets was almost 100%. On sub-culturing every 8 weeks, hundreds of the plants were propagated from a single plant within a year.