Abstract

EFFECT OF CYANOBACTERIAL EXTRACELLULAR PRODUCTS ON MASS PROPAGATION OF GLORIOSA SUPERBA L. THROUGH SHOOT APEX EXPLANTS

Santhoshkumar S., Karthi C., Velayutham P., Jeyaprakash R., Thajuddin N., Kala K.*

ABSTRACT

In the present study we report a suitable alternative method for bringing high efficiency transformed plants, where cyanobacterial extracellular products are utilized as growth regulators and its performance validated on Gloriosa superba L. It is very important medicinal plant which contains alkaloids, mainly colchicine and colchicoside. Shoot apex was used as a explants source. Shoot apex were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various growth regulators (e.g., BAP, Kin and NAA) and cyanobacterial extracellular product (Oscillatoria earlei and Anabaena variabilis). Two cyanobacterial extracellular products were tested with Murashige and Skoog’s medium (MS). Apart from two CEPs, O. earlei showed the best response on in vitro propagation. From these results the O. earlei extracellular product has demonstrated with PGRs for shoot multiplication and root induction from the shoot apex explants of G. superba. At different concentrations of cytokinin BAP (3-15 μM), Kin (3-15 μM) along with O. earlei and A. variabilis extracellular product is tested. A maximum shoot production per explants was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 6 μM BAP along with 12% O. earlei. High frequency of shoot induction of 100% and an average shoot induction rate of 26.92 with a shoot length of 6.5 cm was observed on MS medium supplemented with 6 μM BAP and 12% O. earlei extracellular product. The frequency of shoot induction formed a decrease in trend with an increase in BAP and Kin concentration of 12 μM with 20% O. earlei extracellular product. Transfer of in vitro-regenerated shoots to half-strength MS medium with 15% O.earlei showed maximum root induction (76.6%). The in vitro-grown plantlets were transferred to paper cups containing sterilized red soil, sand and farm yard manure (2:1:1) for hardening and transplanted to field for acclimatization with 80% survival rate.

Keywords: Gloriosa superba, Oscillatoria earlei, Anabaena variabilis, Plant growth regulators.