Factors affecting the frequency of In vitro flowering of Bambusa balcooa Roxb.

Factors affecting the frequency of in vitro flowering of Bambusa balcooa were investigated when multiple shoots (clumps of 1, 3 and 5) were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium (1962) supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP 1.0 mg l⁻¹). With the increase of inoculum density (1–5 clumps) per culture vessel (250 and 500 ml) as well as delaying the sub-culturing period, shoot hyperhydricity, moisture loss and flower formation were observed, with flowers having anthers with pollen grains. The young spikelets were green in colour, which later on turned pink purple. The flowers had viable pollens but did not produce any seeds. Rooting was also induced from flowering shoots, which were transferred successfully into soil.