Abstract

M. Otroshy , S. Edrisi and S.Enteshary

Ferula assa foetida L. (Asafetida) is a highly valuable medicinal plant, which is categorized as an endanger plant species. Thus, the experiments were carried out to examine the effect of explants, medium and plant growth regulators, on the in vitro indirect somatic embryogenesis of F. assa foetida. Explants of root, hypocotyl and cotyledon (leaf) were tested on MS and B5 media combined with 2, 4-D (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L), BAP (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L) and NAA (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L), each of them was combined with Kin (0, 0.2 or 0.5 mg/L). Callogenesis was observed on different media and after 3-4weeks some of them regenerated somatic embryos. The best indirect somatic embryogenesis was obtained from explants of hypocotyl and the highest value for indirect somatic embryogenesis was found in B5 medium enriched with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/L) + Kin (0.2 mg/L).