In Vitro propagation Technique for Bamboo Species of Western Ghats

Present investigation was carried out in the Plant Biotechnology centre, Dapoli during 2008–2013 with the objective of standardization of regeneration protocol for large scale multiplication of bamboo species viz., Kondyamesh [Pseudoxytenanthera stocksii (Munro) Naithani, Manvel [Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb) Nees., Kalak {Bambusaarundinacea (Retz.) Willd) and Bass mesh {Bambusa nutans) Axillary buds and apical buds collected from field grown clump were used for micropropagation. To establish aseptic cultures, the explants were disinfected with presoaking in 0.2% Bavistin and 0.2% Streptomycin for 1 hr. followed by 0.1% HgCl₂ for 10 min. (Washing with sterile double distilled water 3–4 times after each step) obtained highest percentage of aseptic culture in cultivars viz., Kondyamesh (40), Bass mesh (38), Manvel (30) and Kalak (25). The media combination of MS + 1 mgl"¹ BAP + 0.5 mgl"¹ NAA + 80 mgl"¹ Ads +50 mgl¹ Ascorbic acid + 25 mgl¹ Citric acid + 25 mgl"¹ Cystein (Liquid) was the best for establishment of Manvel (40%), Kondyamesh (33.3%), Bass mesh (36%) and Kalak (29.3%) gelled with 0.8% agar and using 3% sucrose as a carbon source. Sub-culturing of shoots at every 2 weeks on same fresh multiplication medium resulted a consistent proliferation rate of bamboo cultivars with 14–15 shoots in Bass mesh, 6–7 shoots in Kondyamesh and 5–6 shoots in Kalak and 7–8 shoots in Manvel. Excised propagules of 3–4 shoots were inoculated on V* MS medium supplemented with high concentration of auxin (NAA) for successful rooting. The liquid medium Vi MS + 2.5 mgl¹ NAA + 25 mgl"¹ Ascorbic acid recorded rooting within 15–20 days period and the number of roots per explant varied among cultivars viz., Kondyamesh (2–3), Bass mesh (1–2), Manvel (4–5) and Kalak (1–2). Plantlets grown in vitro were hardened under green house condition containing autoclaved mixture of soil: cocopeat: vermicompost in 2: 1: 1 proportion and cultures exhibited 80 per cent normal growth.