• In the present study, an efficient protocol for callusing and regeneration via direct and indirect means was established using mature seeds as source of explants as they are accessible round the year and receptive to transformation via callus. • Highest frequency (96.6%) of callus induction was obtained in MS media containing 3.0 mg/L 2, 4-D. • Highest regeneration frequency (100%) from callus was obtained from MS media supplemented with 5.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA with highest number of shoots having an average shoot length 9.14 ± 0.204 (cm) after four weeks of culture. • Direct multiple shoot regeneration from seed explants was obtained using various concentrations of TDZ and BAP with highest regeneration frequency was observed in MS media supplemented with 6 mg/L of TDZ with maximum number of shoots. • The present study is attempt to develop highly efficient regeneration protocol via both direct and indirect ways utilizing mature seeds as source explant and thus can be utilized for molecular studies for genetic advancement of Himalayan rice genotype SR4 through transformation.

Mycorrhizae are fungal symbionts forming mutualistic relationship with plant roots. Literature about the rhizsospheric mycrorrhizal diversity of saffron and its role in growth, yield and quality of saffron is very scarce. In this study association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with the saffron plant was analyzed. Saffron plant shows the high incidence of AMF colonization. It was observed that corm, despite being the modified stem, shows AMF colonization. The study was further extended to know the influence of AMF on growth of the saffron plant under pot culture conditions. The corms of saffron are shown to present a higher level of metabolites, mineral nutrition in the mycorrhizal ones as compared to the non-inoculated ones. Our results show a promising potential of AM fungi in saffron production for enhancing metabolites like carbohydrates, protein and phenolics and mineral nutrition in corm and nitrogen assimilating enzymes in plant.