Large Scale In Vitro Propagation of Anthurium Andraeanum cv. HC 028 for Commercial Application

Abstract

Anthurium is a popular genus of the Araceae (order Spathiflorae) as cut-flowers and potted plants due to its attractive long-lasting inflorescences and long vase-life. The sale volume of Anthurium is ranked the second in the world, following orchids. An efficient and simple procedure was systematically developed for inducing protocorm-like bodies (PLBs), multiple shoots and plantlet regeneration from shoot tip explants of Anthurium andraeanum cv. HC 028. Shoot tip explants were excised and cultured on MS (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) medium fortified with different concentrations of N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 mg/l) and 6-furfurylaminopurine (KIN; 0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 mg/l), the highest frequency (100%) of PLB induction. Mature PLBs showed significant shoot proliferation with maximum number of 12.90±0.12 shoots per explant and shoot length at 28.14±1.41 mm was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/l BAP after being culture for 60 days. Full strength MS medium containing different concentrations of auxin (Indole- 3-butyric acid; IBA; 0, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 mg/l) was used for in vitro rooting of shoots. The most effective medium for root induction at a high frequency of 6.08±0.18 roots per regenerated shoot consisted of 2.0 mg/l IBA within 30 days after culture. Rooted plantlets were successfully transferred into plastic cups containing a mixture of charcoal and coconut fiber (1:1), acclimatized in the greenhouse, and subsequently established in the field. A 95% survival rate was observed and developed with normal phenotypes. The micropropagation protocols described provide rapid and cost-effective methods for in vitro propagation for commercial application of Anthurium andraeanum cv. HC 028.