In vitro culture of leaf explant Melastoma malabathricum L. on Murashige & Skoog (1962) modified medium with thidiazuron (TDZ) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)

Abstract

Melastoma malabathricum L. is a plant potentially useful in phytoremediation, and its successful propagation would facilitate further research in this application. The present study examined in vitro culture of leaf explants using MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ; 0, 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/L) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0, 0.1 and 1 mg/L) alone and in combination. Leaf explants responded to all treatments by forming callus, except on medium with a combination of 2 mg mg/L TDZ and 1 mg/L NAA. The callus formed tended to be friable-compact and compact in texture, and browning tended to occur in callus formed on media containing NAA alone. The medium containing 1 mg mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L TDZ gave the best results for callus formation (100 %). Callus formed faster on medium containing 1 mg/L NAA alone. Both callus and adventitious roots formed on media containing NAA alone, with 1 mg/L NAA giving the best results. One explant growing on the medium containing 2 mg/L TDZ and 0.1 mg/L NAA formed both callus and shoots.