In Vitro rapid propagation of an aquatic plant Pogostemon erectus (Dalzell) Kuntze

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the multiple and rapid production of Pogostemon erectus (Dalzell) Kuntze by tissue culture techniques. The shoot tip and nodal explants of P. erectus were isolated and then cultured in Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) nutrient media containing thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in different combinations. The first shoot formation on the explants was observed on day 15. The number of shoots per explant ranged from 2.85 to 29.39 in the shoot tip explants and from 2.72 to 32.24 in the nodal explants. The maximum number of shoots per explant was obtained in the MS medium containing 0.20 mg/L TDZ + 0.10 mg/L 2,4-D for shoot tip explant (29.39) and in the MS medium containing 0.10 mg/L TDZ + 0.10 mg/L 2,4-D for nodal explant (32.24). The longest shoots in the shoot tip (1.76 cm) and nodal (1.64 cm) explants were determined in MS medium supplemented with 0.10 mg/L TDZ + 0.10 mg/L 2,4-D. Regenerated shoots were rooted in MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/L indol-3yl acetic acid (IAA), and then acclimatized to aquarium conditions.