Objective The objective of this study is to explore the rapid propagation technology of Polygonatum cyrtonema tissue-culture seedlings produced in Zhejiang Province, providing technical support for the large-scale and industrial planting of P. cyrtonema.

Methods  Using seeds of P. cyrtonema as the explant material, the experiment on breaking dormancy, the disinfection of tissue-culture explants, the ratio of culture medium and plant growth regulator was conducted to screen the optimal culture medium formula for the induction, proliferation and rooting stages of P. cyrtonema.

Result  The best hormone combination for breaking seed dormancy was GA3 300 mg·L⁻¹ + 2-iP 300 mg·L⁻¹, which could improve the germination rate to 90.72%. The best disinfection scheme for explants was 75% ethanol for 30 s followed by 0.1% HgCl₂ for 5 min, and then the disinfection process was repeated once on the second day to effectively lower the pollution rate. The optimal medium for proliferation was MS + NAA 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ + 6-BA 1.0 mg·L⁻¹, with a proliferation rate of more than 6.0 times after 45-day subculture. The best medium for rooting was MS + IBA 2.0 mg·L^-1+ 6-BA 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ + 0.1% AC, with the average number of 6.53 roots and the average root length of 8.56 cm after 45 days’ rooting culture.

Conclusion  Different hormone treatments can break the dormancy of P. cyrtonema seeds more effectively, but there are significant differences in the effects of different hormone combinations and concentrations on germination rates. 6-BA plays an important role in the proliferation culture of P. cyrtonema. There are differences in the effects of different concentrations of IBA and 6-BA combinations on root induction in P. cyrtonema, and high concentration of IBA inhibits root induction and growth.