In vitro rapid multiplication of a highly valuable ornamental aquatic plant anubias heterophylla

Abstract

The present study focuses on the development of a micropropagation protocol for true to type plants of Anubias heterophylla, a valuable ornamental aquatic plant. Natural propagation of aquatic species is limited due to the production of a small number of plants with a long cultivation period, disease and requirement of a large space for propagation. Surface-disinfected shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium containing 0.1 % (w/v) activated charcoal (AC) and supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at different concentrations (0, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/L) either singly or in combination with α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) (0.5 and 1.0 mg/L). Among different auxins and cytokinin used, the number of shoots initiated per explant varied significantly among the different auxin and cytokinin combinations. The highest number of shoots per explants (3.60 ± 0.24) was formed in the culture medium containing 1.0 mg/L NAA in combination with 1.0 mg/L BAP, followed by in the culture medium with 3.0 mg/L BAP (2.40 ± 0.24). In the culture medium with 1.0 mg/L NAA and 1.0 mg/L BAP, 100 % of the cultured explants regenerated new shoots within 60 days. The maximum number of roots (19.80 ± 0.20 roots) per explant was observed after 60 days of culture on MS medium contained 0.1 % (w/v) AC and supplemented with 1.0 mg/L NAA and 1.0 mg/L BAP. With a 100% survival rate, the regenerated plantlets were effectively acclimatized to submerged underwater environments. Plantlets exhibited phenotypic traits that were comparable to those of their donor plant. This protocol is suited for commercial Anubias heterophylla propagation in the aquarium industry.