Micropropagation of Bat Flower Plant, Tacca chantrieri Andre

Abstract

The protocol for micropropagation of bat flower plant, Tacca chantrieri Andre., through axillary and adventitious shoot proliferation was investigated. The sterile seeds for the propagation of sterile seedlings of bat flower were prepared by surface sterilization of loose contaminated seeds in 10% commercial bleach, Haiter^® (6%w/w sodium hypochlorite) and by aseptic removal of sterile seeds from fruits pre-sterilized by burning 95% ethanol. The sterile seeds from both sources were germinated and seedlings were cultured on the sterile MS medium containing 30 g/l sucrose, pH 5.6 for 2 months. Two months old sterile seedlings were then cultured on solidified MS medium containing 30 g/l sucrose supplemented with 1, 2 or 3 mg/l of kinetin or BAP for in vitro shoot induction and proliferation. By the end of the first month, seedlings produced more new shoots on the medium containing 2 mg/l BAP. However, in further subcultures more normal shoot were obtained from the medium with the addition of 1 mg/l BAP than from other media. The single shoot dissected singly from plantlets clusters formed roots and could survive after transplantation and the maximum numbers of their plantlets growing normally were obtained from solidified MS medium containing 30 g/l sucrose with the addition of 0.1
mg/l NAA.