In vitro culture used for woody fern cyathea australis (R. Br.) Domin vegetative propagation

Abstract

Experiments have been carried out on vegetative multiplication of Cyathea ausiralis. Cultures were initiated from spores collected from sporangium of mature fronds. Spores were sterilized in 3% chloramine with Tween and sown on Anderson (1984) medium supplemented with 80.0 mg/1 of Ads and solidified by 8.0 g/1 of agar. After three months of spore germination overgrowth of prothallia was observed. Multiplication of prothallia was stimulated by MS (1962) medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l BAP, 0.50 mg/1 IBA, 0.50 mg/1 IAA, 1.00 mg/1 GA3, 40.00 mg/1 Ads and sucrose 30.0 g/1. Small drops of water were placed on the basal part of gametophyte in order to help ovary fertilization. After the next few weeks the first very fragile, small and green crosier emerged from the base of gametophyte. Perlite culture stimulated root formation and plant hardening to soil conditions.