1Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Arts Science and Commerce, Mody Institute of Technology and Science (MITS)-Deemed University, Lakshmangarh, Sikar, 332 311, Rajasthan, India.
2Biotechnology Center, Department of Botany, J.N. Vyas University, Jodhpur, 342 001, Rajasthan, India.
3Biotechnology Laboratory, LMC. J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, 342 001, Rajasthan, India.
*Corresponding author: E-mail: mangalrathore@gmail.com
Online published 10 June, 2009.
We describe here the development of a micropropagation protocol for mass multiplication of Zantedeschia aethiopica by using root tubers as explant. The surface sterilized root tubers produced five to six shoot-buds on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium with 10.0 mg l−1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and additives (50.0 mg l−1 of ascorbic acid; 25.0 mg l−1 each of adenine sulphate, L-arginine and citric acid). The cultures were multiplied by sub-culture of individual shoot bud produced in vitro and clumps of shoot buds generated in vitro in cultures on MS medium containing 3.0 mg l−1 of BAP and additives. Further multiplication of propagules was achieved through tuber formation along with amplifying shoots on MS medium with 5.0 mg l−1 of BAP. The micropropagated shoots were rooted both in vitro as well as ex vitro. Cent percent of the cloned shoots rooted in vitro within 15–18 days on hormone-free ½ strength MS salts with 200.0 mg l−1 of activated charcoal. Alternatively 95–100% shoots rooted ex vitro under greenhouse conditions on soilrite after pulse-treatment with 500.0 mg l−1 of Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or β-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA) for 300 sec. The cloned plants were hardened in the greenhouse. The hardened plants were transplanted to soil for further acclimatization.
clone, explant, in vitro, ex vitro, pulse-treatment
