In vitro studies on Anthurium andreanum Lind and A. crystallinum Hort

Abstract

The investigations were conducted on Anthurium andreanum and A.crystallinum at IIHR, Bangalore, for standardizing the best nutrient medium and to supplement adjuvants for in vitro seed germination and subsequent seeding growth, callusing, differentiation and acclimation. In vitro seed germination was rapid (7 days) on Morels medium, followed by half strength Nitsch, Nitsch, MS, Vacin and Went and Knudson-C media. Nitsch medium was the best to promote subsequent seeding growth parameters like root length (9.70 cm), number of roots (3.30), shoot length (3.24 cm), fresh weight (498.70 mg), dry weight (50.60 mg) and FW/DW x 100 index (985.20). Nitsch medium supplemented with coconut water supported the early seed germination (100 days) while the early seeding growth (fourth leaf) was promoted by banana pulp (100 days). However, ragi and wheat malt were inhibitory. MS medium containing 1 ppm each of BAP and 2,4-D was effective in inducing callus and further growth. Higher concentration of 2,4-D (6 ppm inhibited the callus growth in both the species. Lower concentration of BAP (1 ppm) induced more number of shoots per flask (36), root length (9.98 cm), number of roots(8.90), leaf length (1.84 cm) and the leaf breadth (1.22 cm) but higher concentrations (2.5 and 5.0 ppm) reduced the number of shoots and also inhibited the rooting. NAA(1 ppm)induced more number of roots (12.55) with higher root length (1.45 cm). All the plantlets were survived completely under mist chamber, green house and laboratory conditions. However, seedlings grown under mist chamber were superior for shoot length (6.49 cm), root length (10.29 cm), leaf length (3.66 cm) and leaf breadth (2.33 cm) in both the species.