Acclimatization of Tissue Culture Pineapple Plantlet Using Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics Technique in Comparison with Other Conventional Substrates

Abstract

Aims: Previously conventional substrates consisting of topsoil mixtures have produced low yield and low survival rate of the tissue culture plantlets. Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technique is being compared with Sawdust (SD) and Topsoil (TS) as a suitable method of acclimatization and further rooting of the plantlets. This research is aimed at optimizing the protocol for acclimatization of tissue culture pineapple plantlets. Study Design:  Experimental Research Design. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Biotechnology Research Unit, Tissue Culture Laboratory, National Horticultural Research Institute, Jericho-Idi-Ishin, Ibadan. Feb 2021 – April 2021. Methodology: The technique employed was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 10 samples per treatment in 6 replicates. 5 treatments were investigated in this research. Data analysis was done with the use of SAS statistical analysis software (p<0.05). Fresh crowns of Ananas comosus (pineapple) were extracted and were cultivated in test tubes containing full MS media. The plantlets were sub-cultured twice, after which they were taken into the hardening chamber. The plantlets were acclimatized in the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics substrate and other substrates – Topsoil(TS), Sawdust(SD), Sawdust + Topsoil (3:1), and Sawdust + Topsoil (1:3). Results: The result shows that the mean difference in Plant Height and Root Length for SAH substrate was significant as against other substrates used in this study (p<0.05) with SAH having the highest value of 3.50cm for plant height and 2.53cm for root length.  A 100% survival rate was observed for the plantlets grown SAH media as compared to the ones acclimatized on Topsoil and Sawdust combinations which showed a 50% survival rate. There was no significant difference in the number of leaves among all the groups of substrates. Conclusion: In conclusion, SAH media is a very effective media for the hardening and acclimatization of micro-propagated plantlets.