Shoot Multiplication in Dioscorea Species

Standardized protocols for shoot induction and multiplication through axillary shoot proliferation from single node explants of nine species of Dioscorea namely, Dioscorea bulbifera, D. pentaphylla, D. hispida, D. interllledia, D. hamiltonii, D. wightii, D. belophylla, D. spicata and D. oppositifolia of the Southern Western Ghats. Cytokinins were effective in promoting shoot induction and multiplication in these species. Of the different cytokinins used optimum results were obtained with BA (2–4 mg/l) followed by TDZ and Kinetin (Kn) in all the species. In D. pentaphylla, 12 shoots were obtained on MS medium supplemented with BA (4 mg/l) and Kn (2 mg/l) whereas in D. oppositifolia up to 8 shoots were produced in BA (2 mg/l) and Kn (1 mg/l). SA (2 mg/l) along with NAA (0.5 mg/l) produced 8–10 shoots in D. pentaphylla and D. intennedia.