Development of a cost-effective basal medium for in-vitro propagation of Anthurium (A nthurium andreanum ) as an alternative for Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium

Abstract

Generally, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium is used for in-vitro micropropagation o f Anthurium but it is very costly. Therefore the major objective o f this study was to develop a cost-effective basal medium for micropropagation o f Anthurium as an alternative to MS medium. In the present experiment, Albert’s solution, which is a popular fertilizer mixture, developed for hydroponics systems was used. All experiments were arranged according to a completely randomized design with ten replicates. 2 kg o f Albert’s mixture in 25 L water was used as stock. Albert’s solution (1 ml o f stock in 1L o f water) with four different pH values (i.e. 5.0, 5.2, 5.4 and 5.6) was compared with MS medium for culture establishment. Five different levels o f Albert’s solution (I, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ml/L) were tested for in-vitro embryo establishment. Germination percentage was recorded 10 days after inoculation. Then 10 different concentrations o f Albert’s solution (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 ml/L) were compared for in-vitro multiplication and rooting. The hormones 1.5 mg/ L BAP and 0.5 mg/ L 2, 4-D were supplemented for multiplication while 1 mg/ L BAP and-0.5 mg/L IB A were added for rooting. Three months after inoculation, number o f shoots, roots and leaves per shoot were recorded. The highest germination percentage (90%) was observed on Albert’s medium with pH 5.4. The highest germination rate (85%) was recorded in 3 ml/L concentration o f Albert’s medium. After three months the highest shoot number (48.4) was recorded in MS media, which was not significantly different from 5 ml/L concentration o f Albert’s medium at p< 0.05. The significantly highest number o f roots per plant (15.1) was observed in 7 ml/L o f concentration level while it was about 8 in the control. The highest number o f leaves per shoot (9.4) was observed on Albert’s medium at a concentration o f 5 ml/L. Leaves became yellowish color in 8, 9 and 10 ml/ L concentration o f Albert’s medium. Survival rate o f acclimatized plantlets obtained from Albert’s medium was about 90% compared to MS medium (65%). The total cost for 1 L MS media was about Rs. 225/- and the total cost o f Albert’s medium was about Rs. 110/-. It could be concluded that Albert’s solution is a cost-effective alternative medium for MS for in-vitro propagation o f Anthurium.