In vitro regeneration of cephalotus follicularis

Abstract

To establish a mass micropropagation procedure for Cephalotus follicularis, the effects of varying the strengths of solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were investigated using subcultured shoot explants. After a 60-day primary culture from root mass, the regenerated shoot explants were subcultured every 60 days in solid MS medium. To facilitate shoot proliferation, liquid MS medium was applied with or without exogenous auxin and cytokinin. Our results demonstrate that shoot proliferation and survival of C. follicularis is most effective in modified MS (MMS) medium containing onefifth or one-tenth strength macronutrients and full-strength micronutrients. Successful shoot proliferation and development of C. follicularis explants were obtained in one-fifth or one-tenth modified liquid MS medium without auxin and cytokinin or with addition of 5 mM indole 3-acetic acid/1 mM N6-benzyladenine for 45 days. The liquid medium consistently produced more explants than the solid medium and shortened the culturing time. Plantlets cultured in hormone-free one-fifth MMS medium developed greater root systems. Using the liquid culture we established, vigorous plants with extensive roots were obtained within 4 months. Plant survival in the greenhouse reached 100%.