Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice in the world. This plant species is propagated vegetatively through the formation of daughter corms from the mother one. Unfortunately, the low production rate of daughter corms and the risk of fungal infection, which also affect the daughter corm quality. Therefore, the conventional propagation method cannot meet the demand for planting material.

The use of biotechnological tools, particularly the in vitro culture techniques, can be of great benefit for saffron propagation. In vitro-induced microrhizomes are promising for producing disease-free planting materials. Microrhizomes are miniature rhizomes induced in vitro. Over the past decades, microrhizome induction has been achieved in several rhizomatous crop species. Microrhizome technology is becoming increasingly popular in rhizomatous crops due to its several potential advantages over traditional in vitro culture systems. Microrhizomes could successfully sprout both in vitro and in vivo and were easily stored and transported.

In future in vitro raised microrhizomes of saffron will be planted in an ex vitro culture room with climatic conditions like temperature, humidity and light quality similar to their native place.