Effect of Rhizome Portions and Growing Media on Establishment of Plants and Shoot Production in Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria Hybrids)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of four rhizome portions and five growing media on the regeneration of plants and shoots in clonal propagation of alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrids) cv. Aladdin. The rhizome portions with tuberous roots having rhizome tips recorded highest sprouting (78.00%) after 30 day of planting. However, they also recorded maximum establishment (73.60% and 70.67%) after 60 and 90 day, respectively whereas, rhizomes with nodal segments were non significant. Among the growing media, cocopeat + peat (1:1 v/v) and sand + soil + FYM (1:1:1 v/v) were recorded best for establishment of plants. The rhizome portions with tuberous roots having rhizome tip produced more number of shoots as compared to nodal segments. However, the presence of storage roots significantly increased the number of shoots per plant. Whereas, growing media consisting sand + soil + FYM (1:1:1 v/v) were observed best with respect to number of shoots produced per plant. However, medium and rhizome portion did not have any significant effect on the diameter of longest shoot.